Venezuela Crisis: Opposition's Guaido calls for daily protests against Maduro

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02:46

We begin with the protests in Venezuela, where supporters of the opposition leader Juan Guaido, as well as President Nicholas Maduro have hit the streets. This comes as Guaido calls for the largest demonstrations ever to oust the leader. Guaido had urged a military action which Maduro termed as a "failed plot". CGTN's Stephen Gibbs has more from Caracas.

May Day in Caracas and the opposition leadership called its supporters out on the streets again.

Most were keen to see, and hear from, this man: Juan Guaido - the opposition leader who says the presidency should be his.

JUAN GUAIDO VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER "What we have sacrificed will not be in vain, it has not been in vain. It has been for our families, for our future. It has been - at every turn - to achieve our objective which has been to unite the country."

His profile has again soared - after a dramatic move on Tuesday when he appeared on the streets with a group of rebel national guardsmen.

They tried, and failed, to provoke a military uprising at this airbase.

On Wednesday, the same airbase became the focus of protests again. This group appeared to be using this van as a battering ram to gain access.

There were protests in other cities, too. Here in the Barquisimeto in Northwestern Venezuela, there were also several arrests.

Back in Caracas, the government held its own, more traditional May Day parade. It is keen to get across the message that not everyone is against it.

"I am supporting our revolution, supporting our revolutionary process, for the peace of Venezuela, Latin America and the world."

Earlier President Maduro had congratulated his armed forces for what he said was its victory over the plotters against him. And he ridiculed suggestions from U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, that he was ready to go into exile in Cuba.

NICOLAS MADURO VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT "Mike Pompeo said this afternoon: 'Maduro had a plane ready to take him to Cuba, but the Russians prevented him from leaving the country.' Mister Pompeo, please, this really is a joke."

Both the president, and those that want him gone, insist they are not giving up.

STEPHEN GIBBS CARACAS "And the latest we are hearing from the opposition is that a series of labor strikes are planned in the coming days. Stephen Gibbs, CGTN, Caracas."