Venezuela in crisis: All the latest updates

Maduro says military must be prepared to combat ‘traitors’ after forces failed to respond to Guaido’s ‘uprising’ call.

Venezuela has plunged into a major political crisis amid a growing row over President Nicolas Maduro’s future as the country’s leader. 

Maduro started a second term on January 10, following a widely boycotted election last year that many foreign governments refused to recognise.

On January 23, Juan Guaido, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president.

Shortly after Guaido took an oath swearing himself in, US President Donald Trumppublicly recognised him as the country’s leader. 

Maduro accused Guaido of staging a coup and ordered his arrest.

Here are all the latest updates as of Thursday, May 2:

Venezuela’s Maduro calls for military unity after clashes

Maduro has called for military unity in an appearance with soldiers, two days after security forces failed to respond to opposition leader Juan Guaido’s call for an uprising.

Flanked by commanders, Maduro said on national television Thursday that the military must be prepared to combat “traitors” and the opposition had sought to provoke bloodshed in Caracas since Guaidó’s failed bid to take power.

Woman killed by ‘bullet in the head’

A 27-year-old woman died on Wednesday night at a Venezuelan clinic after being shot in the head during anti-government protests in Caracas, according to a human rights organisation.

“We condemn the murder of the youth Jurubith Rausseo,” who was hit by a “bullet in the head during demonstration,” Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict said on Twitter.

Wednesday, May 3

Number of Venezuelans fleeing to Brazil surges

Close to triple the usual number of Venezuelans fled to Brazil on Tuesday, when Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido led an attempt to oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro from power, according to Brazilian government data released on Wednesday.

Some 850 Venezuelans came to Brazil on Tuesday by foot, the government said, compared with the usual range of between 250 and 300.

Guaido: ‘We have to remain in the streets’

Opposition leader Juan Guaido has asked people to remain in the streets. 

“If the regime thought we had reached maximum pressure, they cannot even imagine,” Guaido told thousands of cheering supporters in eastern Caracas. “We have to remain in the streets.”

He said he would consider a proposal from public workers to call for a series of work stoppages leading up to an eventual general strike to pressure Maduro, in power since taking over from his mentor, late President Hugo Chavez, in 2013.

Many people say they will continue to support.

“I go out because I want to live in democracy, I want to live in freedom.. we need to support these politicians that are trying to find an alternative,” Maria Ciares, 55, told Al Jazeera.