The Americas

Guaido vows to return soon to Venezuela to lead protests

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard officers inspect trucks torched over the weekend during clashes with anti-government demonstrators trying to move aid across the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge in Urena, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Starting on Saturday, security forces on Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil fired tear gas and buckshot on activists as they blocked emergency medical and food kits from crossing into Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A masked opposition demonstrator holds a United States flag after clashing with members of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard at the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge, in Cucuta, Colombia, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Over the weekend, security forces on the borders with Colombia and Brazil fired tear gas and buckshot on activists waving Venezuelan flags while escorting trucks with emergency medical and food kits. Four people were killed and at least 300 wounded, although only a few were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he'll soon return home and mobilize new protests against embattled socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Guaido spoke from Colombia on Tuesday after meeting with regional diplomats and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

He says that in the coming days he will announce the date of his return as well as actions aimed at galvanizing support among Venezuela's military and state workers.

Guaido has won recognition as Venezuela's rightful leader from more than 50 nations, including the United States, but has so far been unable to wrest power from Maduro.

Over the weekend, the opposition failed in its attempt to deliver several hundred tons of U.S.-supplied humanitarian aid after security forces loyal to Maduro fired tear gas at protesters. Four people were killed.