Juan Guaido

Two Venezuelan lawmakers sought refuge at foreign embassies in Caracas on May 9, as the government of President Nicolas Maduro cracked down on allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido who supported his attempted uprising last week.

Venezuelan intelligence agents detained opposition leader Juan Guaido's congressional deputy on May 8, using a tow truck to drag his vehicle away with him inside prompting the U.S. government to warn of "consequences" if he was not released.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on the armed forces on April 2 to oppose "any coup plotter" after a military uprising in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido fizzled out, and subsequent street clashes left four protesters dead.

The self-proclaimed president, and leader of the Venezuelan opposition Juan Guaido told his supporters during the protest that demonstrations were "an irreversible process" and would continue each day "until freedom is achieved."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been ready Tuesday to fly into exile in Cuba until he was dissuaded by Russia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a military uprising in Caracas, reported AFP.
"He had an airplane on the tarmac, he was ready to leave this morning as we understand it, and the Russians indicated that he should stay," Pompeo told CNN.

Venezuelans have gathered for mass protests after opposition leader Juan Guaidó called for fresh demonstrations.

It comes the day after President Nicolás Maduro said he had stopped an "attempted coup" by the opposition.

"Today we continue," Mr Guaidó tweeted. "We will keep going with more strength than ever, Venezuela". Pro-government protests will also take place.

Greece's ruling SYRIZA party has issued a statement condemning "any anti-democratic intervention targeting the democratically elected government in Venezuela," as the country continues to struggle with political turmoil and unrest.

The leftist party also called for a fresh presidential election in the South American country.

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido said on Tuesday that troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro as the government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup.

Venezuelan lawmakers loyal to President Nicolas Maduro stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity on April 2 and authorized the high court to criminally prosecute him for proclaiming himself the crisis-hit country's ruler.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido will be barred from public office for 15 years, the government comptroller said on March 28, as it seeks to crack down on the U.S.-backed rival to President Nicolas Maduro.