Analysis: A week of turmoil in Venezuela

Date created : 29/01/2019 - 00:21   GMT/UTC/ZULU

Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido (L) has challenged the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido (L) has challenged the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro AFP/File

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Caracas 

by Renee Celeste and Biodun Iginla, France24 News Analysts

Here are key developments in Venezuela since a band of soldiers briefly rose up against President Nicolas Maduro on January 21, with an opposition leader declaring himself "acting president" days later.

- Brief uprising -

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On January 21 a group of soldiers take control of a command post north of Caracas in the early hours. In a video on social media, they say they "completely repudiate" Maduro's regime and call on people to take to the streets in their support.

The uprising is quickly put down and 27 of the rogue soldiers are arrested.

There are demonstrations of support in a number of Caracas neighborhoods.

The Supreme Court, dominated by loyalists of Maduro in his standoff with the opposition, takes aim at the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declaring its leadership illegitimate and its decisions invalid.

Maduro was sworn in on January 10 for a second six-year term before the Supreme Court and not the parliament, as provided for under the constitution. The opposition and a large part of the international community, including the United States and the European Union, do not recognize the second term.

The National Assembly has promised an amnesty to all members of the military who abandon Maduro.

- US backs opposition -

On January 22, US Vice President Mike Pence gives his support to Venezuela's opposition on the eve of planned protest marches.

Maduro accuses Washington of ordering "a coup from the fascist state."

- Self-proclaimed 'acting president' -

On January 23, tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of Caracas and other cities in rival demonstrations for and against Maduro. Clashes erupt.

In front of cheering supporters in the capital, National Assembly head Juan Guaido proclaims himself "acting president." He pledges to install a transitional government and hold free elections.

US President Donald Trump immediately issues a statement recognizing Guaido and is followed by Brazil, Canada and Colombia, among others.

However China, Cuba, Mexico, Russia and Turkey say they still support Maduro.

Maduro says he is cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington.

- Army loyal to Maduro -

On January 24, Venezuela's powerful military high command throws its weight behind Maduro. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, a general, accuses Guaido of attempting a "coup d'etat" and says Maduro is "the legitimate president."

Russian President Vladimir Putin expresses "support for the legitimate authorities," saying the political crisis "has been provoked from the outside."

- Guaido persists -

On January 25, Guaido calls on Venezuelans to continue their demonstrations against Maduro. He says he does not rule out including Maduro in an amnesty.

Maduro says he is ready to meet Guaido, who rejects the offer of talks.

- European ultimatum -

On January 26, several European powers say they will recognize Guaido as president unless Maduro calls elections within eight days. The 28-member EU says it will take "further actions" if elections are not called, including "the issue of recognition of the country's leadership."

Caracas rejects the ultimatum.

At the UN Security Council Russia and China block a draft US resolution supporting the National Assembly led by Guaido.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges all nations to end financial dealings with Maduro.

Venezuela's military attache to Washington breaks ranks with Maduro, urging his "brothers in the military" to back Guaido.

- New demonstrations called -

On January 27, Guaido calls for new protests, on Wednesday and Saturday, which will be a "big national and international rally."

Supporters circulate copies of amnesty measures approved by the parliament to members of the military, some of who publicly burn the document.

Maduro, appearing at a military exercise, calls on the military to show "union, discipline and cohesion" to defeat what he calls an "attempted coup d'etat."

Israel and Australia recognize Guaido as interim president.

- Pope fears 'bloodbath' -

On January 28 Pope Francis says he fears a "bloodbath" in Venezuela.

Unrest since the soldiers' rebellion has left 35 people dead, Venezuelan NGOs say. 850 have been arrested.

The Saudi energy minister says the crisis in OPEC member Venezuela could impact the oil market.

BREAKING: Myanmar: Thousands of new Rohingya refugees flee violence, hunger in to Bangladesh

OCTOBER 16, 2017  07H:38  GMT/UTC/ZULU TIME

by Xian Wan and Biodun Iginla, BBC News and Reuters, Yangon

YANGON - Hungry, destitute and scared, thousands of new Rohingya refugees crossed the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar early on Monday, Reuters witnesses said, fleeing attacks by Buddhist mobs and hunger that the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing.

A Rohingya refugee girl who fled from Myanmar cries because she lost her mother, as they make their way after crossing the border in Palang Khali, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh October 16, 2017. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Wading through waste-deep water with children strapped to their sides, the Rohingya told us at Reuters how they had walked through bushes and forded monsoon-swollen streams for days from Myanmar’s Buthidaung region before reaching the border.

A seemingly never-ending line entered Bangladesh near the village of Palongkhali. Many were injured, with the elderly on makeshift stretchers, and women balanced family belongings - pots, rice sacks, clothing - on their heads.

“We couldn’t step out of the house for the last month because the military were looting people. They started firing on the village. So we escaped into another village,” said Mohammad Shoaib, 29.

He wore a yellow vest and was balancing his jute bags, carrying some food and aluminum pots, on a bamboo pole.

“Day by day things kept getting worse, so we started moving towards Bangladesh. Before we left, I went back near my village to see my house, and the entire village was burnt down,” Shoaib said.

They walked to join some 536,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar since Aug. 25, when coordinated Rohingya insurgent attacks sparked a ferocious military response, with the fleeing people accusing security forces of arson, killings and rape.

Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar make their way after crossing the border in Palang Khali, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Myanmar rejects accusations of ethnic cleansing and has labeled the militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army who launched the initial attacks as terrorists who have killed civilians and burnt villages.

FOOD, AID RESTRICTED

The refugees who arrived in Bangladesh on Monday said they were driven out by hunger because food markets in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state have been shut down and aid deliveries restricted. They also reported attacks by the military and Rakhine Buddhist mobs.

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Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya had already been in Bangladesh after fleeing previous spasms of violence in Myanmar, where they have long been denied citizenship and faced restrictions on their movements and access to basic services.

Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has pledged accountability for human rights abuses and says the country will accept back refugees who can prove they were residents of Myanmar.

The United States and the European Union have been considering targeted sanctions against Myanmar’s military leaders, diplomats and officials have told us at Reuters, although they are wary of action that could destabilize the country’s transition to democracy.

EU foreign ministers will discuss Myanmar on Monday, and their draft joint statement said the bloc “will suspend invitations to the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar/Burma armed forces and other senior military officers”.

The powerful army chief, Min Aung Hlaing, told the United States ambassador in Myanmar last week that the exodus of Rohingya, who he said were non-native “Bengalis”, was exaggerated.