Venezuelan opposition leader admits mistakes that led to failed coup

Juan Guaido, who declared himself "interim president of Venezuela", admitted on May 4 that the opposition he led had misjudged the military's support for last week's coup plan. This is considered a key factor that caused the opposition's plot to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro's government to "die young".

Guaido said he expected Maduro to resign after seeing a massive change of sides in the military. However, his calls for generals and senior military officials to defect went unanswered. Maduro's security forces then cracked down on protesters in the streets and put down the coup.

"Maybe we need more soldiers, maybe we need more supportive officials. I think the variables are clear now," Guaido said.

The coup broke out on the morning of April 30 when Guaido appeared in a video calling on the military to overthrow President Maduro and people took to the streets to protest. Clashes then broke out when Venezuelan security forces used armored vehicles, tear gas and rubber bullets against the crowd of Guaido supporters, arresting at least 119 people. Maduro later declared victory and thanked the "absolute loyalty" of the military.

After the failed coup, Guaido faces two challenges: toppling Maduro and consolidating an increasingly divided opposition. Some opposition leaders blame Guaido’s adviser, Leopoldo Lopez, for the failed coup plan.

Lopez was one of the architects of secret negotiations with government loyalists. Some say his public appearance alongside Guaido in the coup video undermined the carefully crafted plan, in which senior officials loyal to Maduro would force him to resign. Guaido has denied Lopez's accusations, saying he had no such information.

Guaido rejected calls from many countries for the opposition to negotiate with the government, saying Maduro's resignation was a prerequisite for any dialogue. Referring to the possibility of US military intervention in Venezuela, Guaido said this was good news for Venezuela, but he did not accept unilateral US intervention.

The opposition leader made clear that any US military support must be carried out alongside Venezuelan forces, but did not specify what would be "acceptable".

The economic and political crisis in Venezuela has become more intense since Guaido declared himself president and challenged Maduro's direct power. The US supports the opposition and imposes many new sanctions on the Venezuelan government, causing more difficulties for the economy and the lives of the people of this country.