PRESENTER Jordi Évole interviewed deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro for Spain's channel six, or La Sexta show Salvados just as Spanish leader Pedro Sánchez announced his government's acceptance of Juan Guaidó as the South American country's head of State.
Évole bravely visited the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for the person-to-person interview – against the advice of the Spanish foreign office, which has recommended nobody travel to the country unless absolutely necessary.
Sánchez announced today that Spain, in line with the rest of the European Union – including the UK – officially recognised Guaidó as president, despite Maduro's supporters, such as Russia and Cuba, calling the new Venezuelan leader's taking over a coup d'état.
During the show, which aired yesterday (Sunday), Maduro said: “It's as though I told the EU it had seven days to recognise the Republic of Catalunya.”
Asked whether he was considering the possibility of civil war, Maduro said: “That depends upon the level of madness of the northern empire [the USA] and its allies.”
He warned that the 'organised people' had 'access to a weapons system and military training'.
The 'people's army' can potentially swell to two million members – 50,000 units, each led by a sergeant.
Maduro added: “The people are arming themselves already. They know where to go, what to do, and how, to defend themselves.
“I'm not going to let anyone twist my arm,” he insisted, and ruled out calling a snap general election.
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