Large anti-government protests took place in many regions of Venezuela. At least 23 people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, the non-governmental organization “Venezuelan criminal forum” informed.

Earlier it was reported about 16 dead.

The clashes were accompanied by casualties in the States of Amazonas, Barinas, Bolívar, Portugal and Tachira, as well as in the capital Caracas. According to AFP Agency observers from the non-governmental organization “monitoring center for social conflict”, the cause of death of most of the victims were gunshot wounds.

Police disperse protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets. The account of victims goes on tens.

Representatives of the opposition accused the police of shooting at houses in one of the districts of La Guaira, the capital of the state of Vargas.

As reported in it Twitter non-governmental organization “Venezuelan criminal forum”, 218 people detained.

In the state of Carabobo, several dozen police officers on official motorcycles and cars joined the protesters. People greeted the police with cheers.

Vice-President and Minister of defense of Venezuela Vladimir Padrino Lopez said that the Armed forces of Venezuela does not recognize Juan, Guido interim President of the country.

“The soldiers of the Motherland do not recognize the President, imposed on us under the influence of other people’s interests and self-proclaimed outside the law. The armed forces protect the Constitution and are the guarantor of national sovereignty,” the Minister wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Who is “for” and who is “against”

January 23, in Venezuela the opposition leader Juan Guido declared himself acting President. He wants to hold new elections in the country.

Interim head of Venezuela Guido recognized by the President of the United States Donald Trump, the government of Canada, the President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, the President of Colombia Ivan Duque, the President of Chile Sebastian Pinera, the head of Ecuador Lenin Moreno, the leader of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada, the government of Peru and Mexico, the government of Ecuador, Paraguay, Honduras and Panama, the authorities of Georgia, also Secretary General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro and the head of the inter-American development Bank Luis Alberto Moreno.

Paraguayan President Abdo Benitez also expressed support for Juan Guido. This example was followed by the head of Argentina Mauricio Macri and the government of Guatemala.

Following the statement on non-recognition of the results of the presidential elections held in Venezuela Georgia recognizes Juan Guido interim President. Georgia welcomes the statements of our partners and supports the people of Venezuela in the struggle for democracy and freedom,” foreign Minister David Zalkaliani wrote on Twitter.

EU high representative for foreign policy and security Federica Mogherini on Wednesday, January 23, called for new elections in Venezuela. In addition, she said that the European Union expressed support for the opposition politician’s Parliament of Venezuela.

The President of Bolivia Evo Morales and the Cuban authorities expressed solidarity with Maduro and the Venezuelan people. According to RBC Turkey opposed all attempts to seize power in Caracas in principle.

“Our President called the head of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and said: “My Brother, Maduro, hold on, we are with you,” wrote the press Secretary of the Turkish leader Ibrahim Kalyn.

The official representative of the Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that the events in Venezuela show the attitude of the “progressive Western community”, which changes the power in the country “in manual mode”, to international law, sovereignty and non-interference in internal Affairs.

Maduro called the events a coup organized by Washington, and announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the United States. He gave 72 hours for American diplomats to leave the country.

Crisis in the country, which is not recognized by the authorities

Venezuela has been experiencing an acute crisis in recent years, accompanied by the devaluation of the national currency and hyperinflation. According to the parliamentary Committee on Finance, inflation at the end of 2018 amounted about 1.7 million percent. According to estimates of the Office of the UN high Commissioner for refugees and the International organization for migration, more than 3 million people have left the South American country.

There is a shortage of food and medicine in the Republic, which causes discontent among the population. However, the government does not recognize the existence of a humanitarian crisis in the country.