Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores attend a pro-government rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Maduro has closed Venezuela’s borders and calls humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela as part of a U.S.-led coup. (Associated Press)
Embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro vowed to defend his nation’s independence with his life during a speech before thousands of cheering supporters Saturday, calling the opposition against him a “small group of dummies” who “can’t think for themselves.”
A defiant Maduro accused the United States of trying to colonize Venezuela and seeking ways to confiscate its oil. He said those opposed to him are letting President Trump call the shots, but the Venezuelan people don’t know it.
VENEZUELAN TROOPS ABANDON POSTS AMID VIOLENT CLASHES WITH PROTESTERS AT COLOMBIAN BORDER
“It’s time for our people to tell Donald Trump, ‘Donald Trump, Yankee, go home, Donald Trump,” Maduro said to throngs of supporters in Caracas wearing red shirts, the color of Venezuela’s socialist party.
“It’s time for our people to tell Donald Trump, ‘Donald Trump, Yankee, go home, Donald Trump!”
Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro cheer during a pro-government rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Maduro has closed Venezuela’s borders and calls humanitarian aid destained for Venezuela part of a U.S.-led coup. (Associated Press)
Maduro also mocked Juan Guaido — the country’s self-declared interim president — and asked why Guaido hasn’t called for an election if he truly holds power. Maduro also called Guaido a puppet of the White House.
Guaido promised to overthrow Maduro a month ago and restore democracy to the embattled nation as it faces food and medicine shortages, hyperinflation and political unrest.
The U.S. and around 50 other countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
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Guaido has launched efforts to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela from neighboring Colombia. On Saturday, demonstrators and security forces clashed as tensions rise over the delivery of the aid. Maduro has denied there is a humanitarian crisis and has resisted calls to accept international aid, particularly from the U.S.
On Saturday, Maduro announced he will break ties with Colombia and ordered its diplomats to leave within 24 hours.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
