All eyes are on Venezuela after the nation’s interim president Juan Guaido called for an uprising to overthrow Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday, sparking violence in the streets.
People across the globe, including refugee Venezuelans who fled their home country in the midst of political and economic turmoil, have gathered for watch parties and rallies to observe the chaos unfold, many holding their breath hoping Maduro will finally step down.
Guaido urged Venezuelans to take to the streets Tuesday after he announced that the final phase of ‘Operation Freedom’ to overthrow Maduro is underway.
Crowds have gathered in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, in the streets of a Miami neighborhood known as ‘Little Venezuela’, and outside the Venezuelan embassies in Washington D.C., Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro to rally behind Guaido and demand the liberation of Venezuela from Maduro’s choke-hold.
Protests and watch parties are taking place across the globe as a violent uprising in Venezuela unfolds. Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido pictured at a rally outside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington D.C. on Tuesday
Protesters against the Maduro regime wore the flag of Venezuela on their backs as they shouted in support of Guaido’s government
Guaido urged Venezuelans to take to the streets Tuesday after he announced that the final phase of ‘Operation Freedom’ to overthrow Maduro is underway
Guaido’s rally call sent hundreds of people into the streets, but Maduro’s military retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas, and plowing through groups of civilians in armored vehicles
Supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido pictured above outside the Washington D.C. Venezuelan Embassy
Guaido declared that the military, which is Maduro’s last stake in the embattled nation, has deserted Maduro.
However, on Tuesday the military appeared to remain in Maduro’s pocket as gunfire rang out through Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, and white armored vehicles and tanks were seen plowing through protesters in the streets.
Maduro said he had spoken with his officers who assured him of their ‘total loyalty’.
Maduro’s government then shut CNN off air and 52 were reportedly injured after military deployed gunfire, teargas and water cannons at demonstrators, according to CNN.
In a shocking video posted online, a group of protesters could be seen throwing missiles at white armored vehicles.
A second tank is then seen mowing down a group of people.
On Tuesday Juan Guaido, Venezuela’s interim president seeking to overthrow Nicolas Maduro, announced that the country is in the final phase of Operation Freedom
After Guaido called for protesters to take to the streets and demanded a military uprising, demonstrators faced off with Bolivarian National Guard troops in armored vehicles which are controlled by Maduro
An injured demonstrator is driven off on a motorbike by paramedics, during anti-government protests in Caracas, Venezuela on Thursday
Protesters who support Maduro pictured above Thursday protesting Juan Guaido
Guaido urged protesters and members of the military to join what he called the ‘final phase of Operation Freedom in a video taken at La Carlota airbase in the capital Caracas while surrounded by heavily-armed soldiers.
The troops then set up defensive positions around the base before Maduro’s forces arrived and opened fire with teargas followed by live rounds, according to witnesses.
President Donald Trump declared his support for Guaido on Tuesday.
He tweeted threatening sanctions on Cuba if Cuba’s troops don’t stop its military operations in Venezuela.
‘If Cuban Troops and Militia do not immediately CEASE military and other operations for the purpose of causing death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela, a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions, will be placed on the island of Cuba. Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!’ he tweeted Tuesday.
Venezuelans in the U.S. gathered on Thursday for watch parties to following the Venezuela uprising on Tuesday
Locals of Doral Florida fathered in the neighorhood known as Little Venezuela after news broke that Guaido was calling for a military uprising this morning. Locals had their eyes glued to the screen as live updates of the turmoil poured in
Many gathered outside a restaurant called El Arepazo in Florida to protest the Maduro regime
President Donald Trump declared his support for Guaido on Tuesday. He tweeted threatening sanctions on Cuba if the nation’s troops don’t stop its military operations in Venezuela
52 people were reportedly injured after Maduro’s military deployed gunfire, teargas and water cannons at demonstrators. Venezuelans in Miami pictured above Tuesday at a gathering to follow updates of the uprising
Outside of the restaurant people began chanting as they followed news of the uprising
All eyes on the TV: Locals of Doral, Florida pictured staring at the TV screen to keep up with news updates on the uprising
The U.S. isn’t the only nation throwing their support behind Guaido.
Protesters gathered in Madrid and Argentina waving the Venezuelan flag and a hand-painted banner that read ‘SOS Venezuela’.
Stateside, in Miami and D.C. people gathered to watch live footage and updates of the uprising.
Locals of Doral Florida fathered in the neighorhood known as Little Venezuela after news broke that Guaido was calling for a military uprising this morning. Locals had their eyes glued to the screen as live updates of the turmoil poured in.
‘Today is very important for Venezuelan people and the country. I think that today is the beginning of the end of Maduro’s government. It’s very important for Venezuelan people to see the end of Maduro’s usurpation,’ Oscar Lopez, a former Venezuelan politician, said to DailyMail.com.
When asked how long it’ll take the Maduro government to meet its demise, Lopez says it could take mere days or weeks.
Venezuelans in Rio de Janeiro pictured above protesting the Maduro regime
Protesters in Buenos Aires, Argentina held signs depicting tombstones in front of Venezuela’s embassy on Tuesday
Hundreds gathered for a demonstration supporting Guaido on Tuesday