Venezuela Crisis: Country Seizes ‘US Weapons Shipment’

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump expressed full support for the Venezuelan opposition to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, just as the country’s authorities announced they’d seized a cache of weapons delivered from the US.

The US-made weapons were discovered at the storage yard of Arturo Michelena International Airport in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, the Interior Ministry announced Tuesday.

The stash included at least 19 rifles and 118 magazines, high-caliber ammunition, as well as 90 radios and six mobile phones – and was likely sent from Miami, Florida on Sunday, authorities believe.

An investigation to determine the intended recipient of the shipment has been launched.

The US never ruled out a military option to support Juan Guaidó’s claim to power.

The opposition leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23. In a matter of days, Guaidó received full support from Washington, as well as many of the EU and Latin American countries.

Following the announcement, Venezuela witnessed massive rallies, both for and against Maduro.