Venezuelan military affirms "voluntary loyalty" to Maduro

"The armed forces will remain deployed and on standby along the border to guard against any violation of territorial integrity,"AFPquoted Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino as saying on February 19.

"We once again emphasize our voluntary submission and loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro," he declared.

Maduro has faced calls to step down as food and medicine shortages have forced millions of Venezuelans to flee the country. The economic and political crisis has escalated after National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" of Venezuela in a bid to overthrow the current government.

Despite Guaido's calls to "switch sides," the military has declared its support for Maduro. Soldiers have blocked aid, mostly from the United States, from entering Venezuela on the president's orders, citing concerns about foreign intervention.

Guaido sent a message to 11 Venezuelan generals yesterday, trying to convince them once again. "On February 23, you must choose between serving Maduro or the Fatherland. Let humanitarian aid come in," the opposition leader wrote on Twitter.

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out military intervention in Venezuela, and increased pressure on the country's military on February 18, warning that they "will lose everything" if they continue to support Maduro.

Minister Padrino dismissed Trump's threats and criticized the US president for being "arrogant". He added that if major powers tried to help establish a new government in Venezuela by force, they would have to go through the military.