Maduro opponents to hold new protests in Venezuela

By Lokman Ilhan

CARACAS, Venezuela (AA) - The head of Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly called for two new strikes worldwide in the coming days.

Juan Gauido called on Venezuelans from all around the world for the rallies on Wednesday and Saturday in a video posted on Twitter late Saturday.

Guaido urged supports in capital Caracas to demonstrate Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m.

“The first of the nationwide strikes would be one to demand that the armed forces side with the people and they let humanitarian aid to go into the country," he tweeted.

The second strike Saturday will be a nationwide rally to support the ultimatum from some European countries.

Meanwhile, Guaido called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for an inquiry into the Venezuelan crisis.

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

The tension climbed across the South American country when Guaido self-declared himself the acting president on Wednesday.

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

Following Trump’s recognition, Maduro quickly shot back, cutting off diplomatic relations with Washington and giving U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

Maduro noted the diplomatic staff of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas left his country, however, both sides agreed to continue negotiations for the protection of officials in the two countries.

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, Turkey, China, and Iran have also expressed solidarity with Maduro.

European heavyweights -- including the U.K., Germany, France and Spain -- took a similar stance against Venezuela's elected president and called on Maduro to announce fresh elections within next eight days to ease the current political crisis.