President Trump, several U.S. lawmakers, and now the EU Parliament, have recognized Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela, signaling that it's time for Nicolas Maduro to step down. Maduro's socialist policies have plunged the nation into poverty and despair.
Still, Maduro is clinging to power, and intimidating the opposition while he's at it. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has been closely following and exposing the Maduro regime, shared the terrifying news that Maduro troops had arrived at Guaido's house in Caracas on Thursday to intimidate him and his family. As Rubio notes, Guaido's 20-month-old daughter and grandmother were there when the troops arrived.
URGENT@jguaido reports that at this very moment Maduro shock troops are inside his home apparently waiting for him.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 31, 2019
His daughter & her grandmother are in the house.
The world is watching & the consequences will be severe if any har, come to him or his family. https://t.co/Euy8QyWAI5
Guaido called the surprise visit "cowardly" and said it "crossed the red line."
Some Democratic senators also agreed it was a shocking sight.
What a shameful, cowardly, and desperate attempt by Maduro to send his secret police to intimidate interim President Guaidó, his wife, and infant daughter. https://t.co/xUU5ojObfG
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) January 31, 2019
Others, meanwhile, have warned Trump to stay out of Venezuela's affairs.
The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela. Let the Venezuelan people determine their future. We don't want other countries to choose our leaders--so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 24, 2019
A US backed coup in Venezuela is not a solution to the dire issues they face. Trump's efforts to install a far right opposition will only incite violence and further destabilize the region. We must support Mexico, Uruguay & the Vatican's efforts to facilitate a peaceful dialogue.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 25, 2019