Venezuela: President Maduro vows to defeat coup

By Muhammed Emin Canik and Lokman Ilhan

CARACAS (AA) - The Venezuelan president has vowed to defeat a "coup d'etat" against Venezuelan sovereignty, local media reported.

"We will defeat a coup d'etat that intends to intervene in political life, throw Venezuelan sovereignty to the side and install a puppet regime for the interests of the U.S. and its allies in the Western world," Nicolas Maduro said late Friday at a press conference in Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.

He stated that international media has been putting pressure on Venezuela and manipulating facts about the South American country.

The president said Venezuela should solve its domestic problems alone without the intervention of imperialist U.S.

Maduro also called for a national dialogue, which can help Venezuela.

Separately, Juan Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, who declared himself acting president, said demonstrations will continue until Maduro leaves his office.

Guaido also requested the support of the Venezuelan army.

- Guaido meets socialist party leader

Venezuelan authorities claimed that Guaido secretly met with the leader of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello in a Caracas hotel on Jan. 22.

The country’s Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez had published footage of the meeting from Caracas hotel.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycott by the opposition.

On Wednesday Guaido declared himself acting president.

U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as president of the country.

Maduro quickly shot back, cutting off diplomatic relations with the U.S. and giving U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

He has repeatedly lashed out at the U.S., saying Washington is waging an economic war against him and his government amid a sweeping sanctions campaign.

Brazil and the Organization of American States recognized Guaido as Venezuela's leader prior to his formal announcement. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay have followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.

Several South American countries, Russia and Turkey have also expressed solidarity with Maduro.