Mike Pence Confirms: 'We Are With' Coup Plotters in Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez, and Vice President Mike Pence meet. (Photo: Martin Mejia/AP)

Mike Pence Confirms: 'We Are With' Coup Plotters in Venezuela

The Vice President's affirmation of U.S. support was echoed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton

Vice President Mike Pence confirmed Tuesday that the Trump administration is firmly on the side of the coup plotters in Venezuela as violent clashes between the elected government and opposition forces led by Juan Guaido quickly escalated.

"To Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in Operacion Libertad--Estamos con ustedes! We are with you!" Pence tweeted. "America will stand with you until freedom and democracy are restored. Vayan con dios!"

Pence's affirmation of U.S. support for the ongoing coup attempt in Venezuela came just hours after Guaido--surrounded by heavily armed soldiers and armored vehicles--called for a military uprising against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The U.S. Vice President's statement of support for the coup plot was echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton.

"The U.S. government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy," Pompeo tweeted. "Democracy cannot be defeated."

Bolton, who has repeatedly threatened the elected Venezuelan government in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's attempted coup, urged members of the military to defect and join the side of the coup plotters.

"Venezuelans have made clear that the current path toward democracy is irreversible," Bolton tweeted. "Venezuela's military has a choice: embrace democracy, protect civilians and members of the democratically-elected National Assembly, or face more man-made suffering and isolation."

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.