Venezuela’s US-backed interim president Juan Guaidó holds secret meetings with military to win support for coup ousting Maduro
THE leader of Venezuela's opposition party claims he has held secret talks with the military to win crucial backing in his bid to oust President Nicolás Maduro.
The news comes after Juan Guaidó declared himself the country's interim president and was immediately recognised by the US and several neighbouring Latin American countries.
However, the superpowers of Russia and China support Maduro which is why military support is seen as key to him holding on to power.
"We have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces," for the New York Times.
"The military's withdrawal of support from Mr Maduro is crucial to enabling a change in government, and the majority of those in service agree that the country's recent travails are untenable."
He added he has offered an amnesty to members of the armed forces "found not guilty of crimes against humanity".
However Guaidó did not say exactly who in the military he had met with.
His claims came just a day after his rival was spotted addressing troops in Maracay, Venezuela.
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Donald Trump earlier tweeted on he had spoken to Guaidó and supported his "historic assumption of the presidency", adding later that "The fight for freedom has begun!"
The tweets came after Maduro had bizarrely claimed Trump ordered the mafia to murder him.
He made the astonishing claim as he caved into pressure to hold talks with Guaido.
In an interview with Russian state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Maduro said: "Donald Trump gave the order to kill me, told the Colombian government, the Colombian mafia to kill me.
"If something happens to me once, Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible for everything what happens to me."
In the same interview Maduro also said he was willing to negotiate with the opposition.
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Guaido has called for snap presidential elections, arguing that Maduro fraudulently won a second term last year.
On Tuesday, he urged Venezuelans to step outside their homes and workplaces for two hours on Wednesday in the first mass mobilisation since last week's big protests.
Maduro had previously rejected calls to hold fresh elections, saying it amounted to blackmail and that the countries calling for them must wait until 2025.
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