Following the proclamation on Wednesday of Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela before the leaders of the opposition and the National Assembly, it was still to be seen what direction the National Army of Venezuela (FANB) would take. They have made their views known: “Whoever wants to create a parallel government through illegal actions will never be president.” Thus, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has endorsed the legitimacy of President Nicolás Maduro, who has ensured that he will win in "free and universal" elections.

Padrino defends Maduro, current president of the National Army, and says Guaidó has "dark" interests: “We will never accept a ruler who has been imposed under obscure interests and much less if he has acted in a schizophrenic and violent way; he will not succeed.”

“Clumsy” interventions by foreign countries

Padrino clearly states: “We will not be subjected to a foreign power.” The FANB has rejected the "gross" interference of foreign governments, which are "insulting" to international law, to the right of peoples to self-determination and, above all, to the dignity of Venezuelans.

Foreign countries have described it as "embarrassing" that Guaidó has been defended, as the opposition is being "cunning" and does not dare to do so. They have stressed that this is a coup d'état and that any coup d'état in democratic countries, in the event of violence, should be condemned.