Maduro's Special Forces Storm Guaidó's Home In Venezuela Following European Parliament Recognition
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - On Thursday afternoon, Venezuela's Interim President Juan Guaidó tweeted that Nicolas Maduro's Special Actions Forces (FAES) had stormed his home in Caracas.
Guaidó said he is holding Maduro 'personally responsible' for anything that may happen to his minor daughter, who was at the residence.
US Senator Marco Rubio tweeted:
"URGENT@jguaido reports that at this very moment Maduro shock troops are inside his home apparently waiting for him.
His daughter & her grandmother are in the house.
The world is watching & the consequences will be severe if any harm comes to him or his family.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 31, 2019"
Last week, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned of "serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaidó."
Earlier on Thursday, the European Parliament dealt a huge blow to Maduro by recognizing Guaidó as 'the legitimate interim president of Venezuela.'
'The result of the vote was 439 votes in favor, 104 against and 88 abstentions,' said Antonio Tajani, president of the organization.
After the vote, Tajani urged all member states of the European Union to take "a unique and strong position" with respect to the crisis in the country.
Guaidó said on Thursday that his recognition by the European Parliament is a "great step" in his struggle for democracy in Venezuela.
"We have taken a big step in our fight for democracy! We appreciate the decision of the European Parliament to recognize all the effort that we Venezuelans have put forward for the restoration of constitutional order," he posted on his Twitter account.
The European Parliament expressed "absolute support for Guaidó's road map."
Four major European member states had told Maduro to call new elections by the weekend or they will recognize Guaidó.
Maduro has refused to budge, calling international support for Guaidó a coup d'état led by US President Donald Trump.
Guaidó, leader of the democratically elected National Assembly was recognized last week as the legitimate president of Venezuela by dozens of nations, including the United States.
The leader of the country's National Assembly has called Maduro the "usurper" of power.
Maduro had won presidential elections last May in which the opposition was not allowed to take part and which the international community called fraudulent.
The National Assembly called Maduro's second six-year term "illegitimate," and Guaidó became interim president of the nation, as per the Venezuelan constitution.
Guaidó has called for a new round of worldwide protests for Saturday.
Maduro has jailed hundreds since Guaidó became interim president on January 23, 700 just in one day. At least 40 have been killed in the streets, according to the United Nations.
International journalists from France, Chile have also been jailed covering events in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuelans living in South Florida are watching and waiting.
South Florida Democratic leaders meeting in Doral said there are efforts underway to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela, who are suffering from a lack of food, water, and medicine. They said they are working to gain Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Venezuelans in the United States.
Florida US Representative Donna Shalala said Trump's administration is working with Democrats in Congress to help restore democracy in Venezuela.
Orianna Lozada, who is visiting South Florida with her mother, says that for the first time in a long time she has hope.
"I hope this is the change Venezuela is waiting for. I'm really happy for that."