Be ready with weapons in face of US military action: Venezuelan President

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on the country’s armed forces to be on standby for potential US military action against the Latin American nation following a failed coup attempt earlier this week.

“Be ready to defend the homeland with weapons in your hands if one day the US empire dares to touch this territory, this sacred earth,” Maduro said during a televised speech from a base in the northwestern Cojedes state on Saturday.

Maduro, standing alongside Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and in the presence of more than 5,000 troops, underscored the continued military support for his legitimate government and dismissed the latest coup attempt by a number of rebel forces allied with Western-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido.

“I told the generals and admirals yesterday: loyalty, I want an active loyalty… I trust you, but keep your eyes open, a handful of traitors cannot tarnish the honor, the unity, the cohesion and the image of the armed forces,” Maduro said.

A small group of armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers at an anti-government rally in the capital Caracas early on Tuesday. Gunfire ensued and more than 100 people were wounded.

The administration of US President Donald Trump, which has recognized Guaido as the “interim president” of Venezuela, quickly backed the attempted putsch.

Later in the day, President Maduro declared that the coup attempt had been defeated.

The coup bid fell through as top leaders and high-ranking military officials reiterated their full support for the government, and 25 rebel troopers sought asylum at the Brazilian embassy in the capital.Following the failure, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo renewed threats against Caracas and said on Wednesday that Washington may use military force to remove Maduro from power.

“The president [Trump] has been crystal clear and incredibly consistent,” Pompeo said. “Military action is possible.”

US waging ‘economic terrorism’ against Venezuela

Edward Corrigan, international human rights lawyer, said in an interview with Press TV on Sunday that the United States has been waging an economic act of terrorism against the government in Caracas and the Venezuelan people through sanctions.