Maduro orders investigation into Tuesday’s coup attempt

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has appeared on state television together with Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino and the head of National Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello.

According to Sputnik, Maduro said that the coup was led by a Venezuelan opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez. Earlier in the day Chilean foreign minister said that Lopez had entered Chilean diplomatic mission in Caracas, updating later that he moved to Spain's Embassy.

Maduro also said that five military staff were injured during unrest on Tuesday, adding that two of them were in critical condition.

On Tuesday morning, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and his supporters gathered in Caracas on a highway in front of La Carlota military base. Previously, Guaido called on the people of Venezuela and the army to take to the streets to complete the operation to overthrow the legitimate head of state, Maduro.

"This cannot go unpunished. I have spoken to the attorney general, and he has appointed three national prosecutors who are questioning everyone involved in this event, and they are tasked with investigating and filing criminal charges," Maduro told the state television.

The Venezuelan president has also announced that he appointed Gen. Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as the head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service of Venezuela (SEBIN).

"I welcome the new director of SEBIN, Gen. Gonzalez Lopez, who is always fighting, always active", Maduro said during a meeting with his supporters, as broadcast by Venezuela's state television.

Large-scale protests against Maduro began in Venezuela on 21 January 21 soon after he was sworn in for a new term. Guaido proclaimed himself an interim leader of the country. A number of Western countries, including the United States, backed his claim. Maduro, in turn, has accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as its puppet. Russia, China, Iran and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.

MNA/Sputnik