Government Forces Gather Near Airbase as Protests Amass in Caracas

Venezuelan security forces, including the GNB (Guardia Nacional Bolivariana), gathered near La Carlota airbase in Caracas on April 30 as protesters took to the streets in support of a Juan Guaido-led uprising.

Guaido, Venezuela’s opposition leader and self-declared interim president, said in a dawn statement on April 30 that members of the armed forces had joined him in what he called “Operation Freedom,” his bid to end the what he called the “usurpation” of government by President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela’s information minister said on Twitter that the government was confronting a small group of “military traitors” seeking to instigate a “coup”.

The first piece of footage here shows GNB vehicles and troops on motorcycles. It is not immediately clear if these troops were included in the those who joined Juan Guaido. The second clip shows protesters and security forces gathered on and around Caracas’ Altamira highway. Shots can be heard. Credit: Gabriela Gonzalez via Storyful