Germany calls for political solution in Venezuela

BERLIN

Germany on Tuesday warned against an armed conflict in Venezuela and called on parties to take political steps to pave the way for a peaceful solution.

“We do not think violence offers a way forward. We need a political, not a military solution,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a Twitter post.

He reaffirmed Germany’ support for opposition leader Juan Guaido to start a political process leading to free and fair elections in country.

His remarks came amid growing tensions in Venezuela after reports of a coup attempt against President Nicolas Maduro.

Earlier, opposition leader Juan Guaido released a video on Twitter in which he was seen alongside soldiers, calling for uprising to end the "usurpation" of President Maduro.

Maduro, for his part, called on people to take to the streets "to protect the homeland and constitutional order”.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Tensions escalated when Guaido, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.