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Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido admitted Wednesday that this week’s anti-government protests lacked the support of enough military defectors to topple the country’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Just the day before, Guaido had announced that the attempt to oust Maduro’s government was entering its “final phase,” kicking off two days of protests, some of which turned violent.
Guaido, the current head of the National Assembly and self-proclaimed interim president, had hoped that the Tuesday announcement and ensuing protests would convince key members of the military to defect.
“We have to acknowledge that yesterday there were not enough (people), we have to insist that all the armed forces protest together,” Guaido said Wednesday. “We are not asking for a confrontation. We are not asking for a confrontation among brothers, it’s the opposite. We just want them to be on the side of the people.”
Guaido also called on public sector employees to strike.
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A woman demonstrates in front of police outside the Venezuelan navy headquarters in Caracas on Saturday, May 4.
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Anti-government demonstrators gather in Caracas on Sunday, May 5.
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Opposition leader Juan Guaido gives a speech to opposition leaders and workers for the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA on Friday, May 3.
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In this handout photo, released by the Miraflores Press Office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, is accompanied by military officers as he arrives for a meeting with troops at Caracas' Fort Tiuna on Thursday, May 2.
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Opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez speaks to the media at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas on May 2. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military. He and his family have been received as guests by Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva Fernández following his release.
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Journalists carry reporter Gregory Jaimes, who was injured Wednesday, May 1, while covering clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in Caracas.
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Anti-government protesters clash with security forces during the May Day protests in Caracas.
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Anti-government protesters clash with security forces on May 1.
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National Police forces detain anti-government protesters near the La Carlota airbase during clashes in Caracas on May 1.
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Guaido, who has been recognized by many countries as Venezuela's interim president, speaks during a rally in Caracas on May 1.
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Members of Venezuela's National Guard clash with protesters on May 1.
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Anti-government protesters prepare to clash with security forces in Caracas.
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A Maduro supporter displays a poster of him during a rally on May 1.
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An anti-government protester is assisted during clashes with security forces on May 1.
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Members of Venezuela's National Militia attend a pro-government rally in Caracas on May 1.
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Members of the military who support Guaido fire into the air to repel forces loyal to Maduro on Tuesday, April 30. The Maduro forces were trying to disperse a demonstration near the La Carlota base.
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An opposition demonstrator is struck by a Venezuelan National Guard vehicle on a street near the La Carlota airbase on April 30.
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A demonstrator throws a Molotov cocktail at National Guard security forces near the La Carlota airbase on April 30.
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An opposition demonstrator passes by a government bus that was set on fire during clashes on April 30.
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Fireworks launched by Maduro opponents land near National Guard armored vehicles.
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An anti-government protester walks near a bus that was set on fire by Maduro opponents on April 30.
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Maduro, center, gives a live televised address on April 30. "We have been facing various forms of coup d'etat, due to the obsessive efforts of the Venezuelan right, the Colombian oligarchy and the US empire," he said. He accused "imperialist" forces of seeking "to attack and overthrow a legitimate government to enslave Venezuela."
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Guaido, center, appears before reporters and photographers outside the airbase in Caracas. To his right is opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez, who is essentially his predecessor.
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Lopez raises his fist to a crowd of supporters in Caracas on April 30. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military.