VENEZUELA has plunged into chaos as thousands of people have taken their rage to the streets demanding President Nicolas Maduro to resign while he clings to power and severs diplomatic ties with the US.
Venezuelans clashed with riot police officers in the streets of the country’s capital, Caracas, on the 61th anniversary of the end of Marcos Perez Jimenez's military dictatorship, who swept power in 1948 and ruled over the counry until 1958.
Calling for Mr Maduro to leave his post less than two weeks after his second inauguration ceremony, protesters marched through the city holding placards spelling the word “democracia” (democracy). On this same day, Juan Guaido, the country’s opposition leader and elected President of the National Assembly, self-proclaimed himself the new president of the country, fuelling the riots and the call for Mr Maduro’s resignation.
Shocking pictures show masked men firing tear gas, protesters burning cars and civilians covered in blood after being beaten up by police officers - who also fired tear gas against demonstrators.
Mr Guaido’s move sparked reactions across the world, with many country leaders supporting his self-proclamation.
Among them, US President Donald Trump branded Mr Maduro’s Government “illegitimate” and “officially recognised” Mr Guaido as new Venezuelan President.
He wrote on Twitter: “The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime.
“Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela.”
This move prompted the response of Mr Maduro, who broke diplomatic relations with Washington.
Speaking to supporters outside the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, the socialist leader said he would give US diplomatic personnel 72 hours to leave cash-strapped Venezuela.
Mr Maduro added the opposition was attempting a “coup”, and urged the military forces of the country to maintain unity and discipline.
He said: "We will triumph over this as well, we will come out victorious.”
Argentina, Guatemala, Brasil and Peru are among the countries coming out in support of Mr Guaido’s rebellion.
France was the first European country to speak about the ongoing crisis, saying it was watching “closely” the events unfolding.
Emmanuel Macron’s office said: "We are closely following the situation and we are consulting our European partners.”
Mr Maduro said the opposition is attempting a 'coup' (Image: GETTY)
Juan Guaido self-proclaimed himself the new president of the country (Image: EPA)
The leader of the Venezuelan opposition took his extreme decision after Mr Maduro sworn in on January 10 to kick off his second mandate as the country’s President.
But his re-election took place in circumstances deemed suspicious by the opposition, with the date of the vote being rescheduled twice, a move seen as limiting the ability for other candidates to run.
The election also saw the disqualifications of members of the opposition, and had a turnout of only 25.8 percent.
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