Exiled General: Why The Venezuelan Military Hasnt Turned Against Maduro

(Washington Post) Antonio Rivero February 7 at 9:07 AM In September of last year with Venezuela in the throes of a humanitarian disaster I met with Juan Guaid in Miami to discuss the political situation in our country. In May Nicols Maduro was reelected president in an election that was condemned by much of the international community because of widespread allegations of fraud. At the time I had great hopes that Guaid who was poised to become president of the National Assembly on Jan. 5 could then serve according to the constitution as interim president of the nation on Jan. 10 in the absence of a legitimately-elected leader. While that has indeed come to pass Guaid took his oath of office on Jan. 23 and a number of countries including the United States have recognized him as interim president most of Venezuelas military have stuck by Maduros side. Guaid whom I call president needs the support of the military to assume power. But Venezuelas military high command still has not recognized Guaid as interim president or as commander in chief of the armed forces despite this being the best option for avoiding internal war or international intervention. Unfortunately trying to flip the militarys position will be an uphill battle. I hold this view based on what I have heard from military officials that I remain in contact with and based on my 30 years in the military (first serving as an active soldier and then working my way up to brigadier general). There are a number of factors that have so far prevented the military from officially recognizing Guaid.