Credit: M. Saint Gomez / Diplomatic Times /  Supporters of Venezuela “interim president” Juan Guaidó  rally in front of Venezuela Embassy in Washington D.C., demanding that pro-Maduro activists leave the diplomatic building May 1, 2 019. 

By  M. Saint Gomez       DIPLOMATIC TIMES

WASHINGTON  D.C. –  It was bound to happen.  The tension between  supporters of  Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and ‘interim president’ Juan  Guaidó has been building ever since the former “took over” the Latin American nation’s Embassy located in the nation’s capital  two weeks ago.  The simmering tensions boiled over Thursday as the two sides openly clashed with each other outside the Venezuela embassy located in Georgetown. Three protesters were arrested. Two pro-Maduro, and one Guaidó supporter.  Members of the U.S. Secret Service Police stood between the two groups in an attempt to maintain order. 

Credit: M. Saint Gomez / Diplomatic Times /  A member of the U.S. Secret Service Police stationed on the property of the Venezuela embassy in D.C. 

An activist group, which calls themselves the Code Pink, has been occupying the embassy since April 14.  They say they are living there in order to “protect”  the embassy from takeover by representatives of Guaidó, who they contend is Trump’s puppet mounting a coup against the Maduro government. Those who support Guaidó — who is recognized as the legitimate president of Venezuela by dozens of countries, including the United States — launched a counterprotest in front of the embassy right after the Maduro supporters moved in.

Diplomatic Times /  Supporters of Guiado outside Venezuela Embassy in DC 

 
Credit: M. Saint Gomez /  Diplomatic Times /  The U.S. Secret Service Police stationed outside on the the Venezuela embassy in D.C.

Situation At D.C. Embassy Mirrors The Political Standoff in Venezuela 

Credit: M. Saint Gomez /  Diplomatic Times / Supporters of Venezuela “interim president” Guaidó  chillin’ out on the steps in front of Embassy.  The front door of the embassy in chained locked, with anti-Maduro placards they placed on the window. 

Guaidó  Calls On  Venezuela and the military  to rise up and overthrow Maduro 

Credit: Wikipedia  /  Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaidó 

Guaidó declared himself president last January 2019. The U.S. immediately announced it was backing the opposition leader, calling for President Maduro to step down, and leave the country. Several Trump administration officials have repeatedly proclaimed that “all options” are on the table, including military action to hasten the  departure of Maduro. At dawn on Tuesday May 1,  Guaidó called on the people of Venezuela and the military  to rise up and overthrow Maduro once and for all.  However, his call for action failed to take root with the military establishment, which continues to stand behind Maduro.  A political stalemate in Venezuela  continues.