[DAWN] Venezuela’s self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido has called for two new protests, in an effort to push the military to turn against leader Nicolas Maduro as Pope Francis warned on Monday of a possible “bloodbath” in the crisis-wracked South American country.In a video posted on Twitter, the 35-year-old opposition leader Guaido announced a two-hour strike on Wednesday “to demand that the armed forces side with the people”.
Millions of Venezuelans have been left in poverty or fled the country due to an economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities, began in 2014.
The head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly said a second demonstration, on Saturday, would be a “big national and international rally to back the support of the European Union and the ultimatum” from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands that they would recognise Guaido as interim president unless Maduro calls elections by Feb 3.
Speaking after a trip to Panama, Pope Francis said he was afraid the escalating political crisis in Venezuela would descend into “a bloodbath”. He had previously called on both sides to find a “just and peaceful solution”.
While some member nations have backed Guaido, the EU was more vague, saying it would take “further actions” if elections were not called in the coming days, including the issue of recognition of the country’s “leadership”.
"More vague" = "characteristically wishy washy"