Guaidó prepares to meet state workers

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP):

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó shrouded the route and timing of his return in secrecy amid concerns he might be detained by Venezuela’s government. Yet, he breezed through airport immigration checks and brazenly called for the downfall of President Nicolás Maduro at a rally where the presence of security forces was minimal.

Guaidó’s homecoming Monday followed warnings by the United States (US) and other countries to Maduro not to move against his adversary, and he possibly realised that arresting his foe could generate more street protests. And, while Guaidó’s presence is likely to add at least short-term momentum to his campaign for political change, Maduro has proven resilient and still commands the critical loyalty of top military officers.

Venezuela is gripped by a humanitarian crisis that is expected to worsen as US oil sanctions designed to put more pressure on Maduro take their toll. With both political factions holding firm amid increasing deprivation for Venezuelans, some analysts speculate that they might be considering negotiations on an end to the stand-off.

The fact that Guaidó was not detained, at least so far, reflects the pressure Maduro faces not to intervene, said Luis Vicente Leon, head of the Caracas-based polling firm Datanalisis. “But it seems to indicate the beginning of a negotiation, local and international, whose details are not yet clear,” Leon said in a tweet.

For now, Guaidó, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, seems intent on probing Maduro’s socialist government for vulnerabilities. He planned to meet Tuesday with public employee unions, tweeting that the meeting is meant to “recover” the state bureaucracy, which he says is being manipulated by Maduro’s government for political benefit.

He also called for big protests on Saturday, a tactic that has sometimes been countered by Maduro loyalists with flag-waving rallies of their own.

On Monday, Guaidó showed off his passport before climbing on to scaffolding and pumping his fist during the demonstration in Caracas, delighting euphoric followers. There was no immediate comment from Maduro’s government, which sought to focus the public’s attention on carnival festivities Monday and Tuesday.

Still, while thousands of Venezuelans heeded Guaidó’s call for protests coinciding with his return, many worry the government might crack down on the opposition as it has in the past, jailing or driving into exile top opposition leaders.