Venezuelan opposition leader Guaidó hopes to open 'direct communications' with U.S. military

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó on Saturday said he has instructed his political envoy in Washington, Carlos Vecchio, to open "direct communications" with the United States military in the hopes they can cooperate on a solution to the situation in Venezuela.

The move could potentially lead to military coordination between the sides, as Guaidó seeks to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his ruling United Socialist Party from power amid Venezuela's current economic and political crisis. Guaidó, who is recognized by the U.S. and other countries as Venezuela's legitimate interim president, had previously been tentative about publicly asking for enhanced U.S. involvement.

His recent remarks, which came at the end of a rally in Caracas, were the strongest indication yet that U.S. forces could possibly intervene in Venezuela. However, as The Guardian notes, direct military action is viewed as an unlikely scenario by both Washington and the Venezuelan opposition, despite both sides frequently saying they are considering multiple options without completely ruling out military operations.

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Guaidó announced on Saturday he will meet with U.S. military officials to discuss new actions that could "achieve the necessary pressure" to put on Maduro and culminate in his removal from office.