MADURO: DISSENTERS ARE CRAZED MINORITIES

Pressure on Venezuela president just beginning, says opposition leader

VENEZUELAN opposition leader Juan Guaido vowed on Tuesday to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, who in turn promised to crush a “crazed minority” that wants to remove him from power.

The National Assembly leader returned home to a hero’s welcome on Monday, having defied a ban on leaving the country to embark on a 10-day tour of South American allies and remains free after returning despite the threat of arrest by the government.

“They’re drowning in contradictions, they don’t know how to respond to Venezuela’s people,” Guaido said. “They thought the pressure had reached its zenith, but it’s only just beginning.”

On Tuesday, a national holiday, he met public sector union leaders, saying: “Public sector workers have lost practically all their rights, we have no other option but to call for a civic strike.”

Maduro pressed his supporters to hold “anti-imperialist” marches on Saturday to counter fresh protests planned by Guaido.

“Today, more than ever, we are victorious against the conspiracy, against blackmail, while a crazy minority continues with their hatred,” he said in his first public comments since Guaido’s return.

Battered by an economic meltdown, Venezuela descended into a major political crisis when Guaido declared himself interim president in January and asserted that Maduro was no longer legitimate.

Recognised by more than 50 countries, Guaido flouted a travel ban on Feb 22 to head off and rally support to oust Maduro.

When he returned, Guaido announced to tens of thousands of supporters his plans for new protests. He vowed to set up a transitional government and hold new elections.

As part of his challenge to Maduro, Guaido was attempting to take control of the state bureaucracy, which he considered to have been “kidnapped” through blackmail and persecution.

Maduro finally made an appearance in the late afternoon to lead a military parade paying tribute to his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, on the sixth anniversary of the socialist firebrand’s death.

Standing in front of Chavez’s mausoleum, Maduro called on supporters to take to the streets on Saturday to mark “four years since” then United States president Barack Obama first announced sanctions against the socialist government.

Maduro often calls for counter demonstrations every time Guaido announces a protest. Both attract thousands, but opposition gatherings usually have the edge in numbers.