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Sucre [Bolivia], June 27 (ANI): Bolivian President <keyword id="20010435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Luis-Arce" source="keywords">Luis Arce</keyword> thanked people after a '<keyword id="21082797" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coup-attempt" source="keywords">coup attempt</keyword>' which saw armoured vehicles ramming into the doors of the government palace failed on Wednesday (local time), Al Jazeera reported.<br /><br />Bolivian authorities arrested the outgoing general commander of the army, <keyword id="22196197" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Juan-Jose-Zuniga" source="keywords">Juan Jose Zuniga</keyword>, after troops pulled back from the square and newly appointed army chief Jose Wilson Sanchez ordered all mobilised troops to return to their barracks.<br /><br />Troops led by army general commander Juan Jose Zuniga started withdrawing from the area around the presidential palace, after Arce called for the country to "defend <keyword id="19973112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="democracy" source="keywords">democracy</keyword>" and fired Zuniga along with the heads of the navy and air force.<br /><br />"Many thanks to the Bolivian people," said Arce. "<keyword id="22196468" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Long-live-democracy" source="Orion">Long live democracy</keyword>."<br /><br />Armed soldiers gathered around Murillo Plaza, a main square in La Paz where the national executive and legislative offices are located, CNN reported.<br /><br />The footage on Bolivian television showed Arce facing down Zuniga in the palace hallway.<br /><br />"I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination," Arce said.<br /><br />Taking to social media platform X, the Bolivian President said, "We denounce irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected."<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="LuchoXBolivia" handlename="LuchoXBolivia" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1806039196781666727"></div><br />Newly appointed army chief Jose Wilson Sanchez ordered all mobilised troops to return to their barracks, stating that "no one wants the images we're seeing in the streets", Al Jazeera reported.<br /><br />The public prosecutor's office said it open a criminal investigation into those behind the failed attempt against the government.<br /><br />Former Bolivian President Evo Morales also denounced the incident. Morales, who publicly split from his one-time ally Arce, also called on "the social movements of the countryside and the city to defend democracy."<br /><br />Morales resigned in 2019 following mounting protests over accusations of fraud in the elections; at the time, he claimed he was forced out in a coup, as reported by CNN.<br /><br />Latin American leaders and organisations also expressed alarm over the effort on Wednesday, with officials from countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Peru, Honduras, Paraguay and Colombia denouncing the army's moves as an attack on democracy.<br /><br />A spokesperson for the White House said that the United States urges calm and restraint and that the Biden administration is monitoring developments, as reported by Al Jazeera.<br /><br />"We condemned the events in <keyword id="104154" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bolivia" source="Orion">Bolivia</keyword>. The army must submit itself to the legitimately elected civil power," Luis Almagro, leader of the Organization of American States (OAS) said following news reports that a tank had slammed into the doors of the national palace, clearing a path for soldiers to enter.<br />

Long live democracy: Bolivia President thanks people after coup attempt fails, troops return to barracks

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>amCharts/INSIDER</span></p><p class="caption">The countries in green recognize Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president as of the morning of January 24, 2019. Countries in red support Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela is in yellow.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Juan Guaidó declared himself Venezuela's interim president on Wednesday night after days of protests against President Nicolás Maduro.</strong></li><li><strong>US President Donald Trump announced his support for Guaidó. Maduro responded by telling all US diplomats in the country to leave within three days.</strong></li><li><strong>As of Thursday morning, almost every Latin American country has recognized Guaidó.</strong></li><li><strong>Eleven countries in the region say they support Guaidó, while two maintained their support for Maduro.</strong></li></ul><p>Almost every country in Latin America has recognized Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan opposition leader who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/juan-guaido-venezuela-opposition-leader-sworn-in-as-interim-president-nicolas-maduro-protests-2019-1">declared himself the country's interim president</a>.</p><p>They took the stance against incumbent president Nicolás Maduro, who refused to cede power after protesters demanded that he step down, calling his presidency unconstitutional and a fraud.</p><p>The map above shows the countries that have recognized Guaidó as president and those that still support Maduro.</p><p>Green represents the Guaidó supporters, red represents Maduro supporters, and Venezuela is in yellow.</p><p>The political fallout comes after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/juan-guaido-venezuela-opposition-leader-sworn-in-as-interim-president-nicolas-maduro-protests-2019-1">days of protests and clashes</a> between Venezuelans demanding Maduro's resignation, and the country's security forces. Under Maduro's rule, the country is enduring one of the world's worst economic crises, which has brought hyperinflation, power cuts, and food shortages.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-hyperinflation-in-pictures-2018-8"><span> </span>10 pictures reveal the huge amounts of cash Venezuelans need to buy everyday things</a></em></p><p>US President Donald Trump declared his support for Guaidó on Wednesday night.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Juan Guaidó, who swore in as Venezuela's interim president on Wednesday, holds a copy of Venezuela's constitution during a rally against Maduro on Wednesday.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>As of Thursday morning, these 11 countries have voiced their support for Guaidó as Venezuela's interim leader:</p><ul><li><strong>Argentina</strong></li><li><strong>Brazil</strong></li><li><strong>Chile</strong></li><li><strong>Colombia</strong></li><li><strong>Costa Rica</strong></li><li><strong>Ecuador</strong></li><li><strong>Guatemala</strong></li><li><strong>Honduras</strong></li><li><strong>Panama</strong></li><li><strong>Paraguay</strong></li><li><strong>Peru</strong></li></ul><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2018%3Anewsml_KCN1NJ1TM%3A5&amp;search=all%3AVenezuela">Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters</a></span></p><p class="caption">Maduro speaks to supporters in Biruaca, Venezuela, in April 2017. He has presided over the world's worst economic crises.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>These two countries have explicitly pledged their support for Maduro:</p><ul><li><strong>Bolivia</strong></li><li><strong>Cuba</strong></li></ul><p>Bolivia's left-wing president, Evo Morales, <a href="https://twitter.com/evoespueblo/status/1088165336845815809">tweeted</a> on Wednesday night: "Our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our brother Nicolás Maduro in these decisive hours in which the claws of imperialism seek again to mortally wound the democracy and self-determination of the peoples of South America."</p><p>"Never again will we be in the USA's backyard," he added.</p><p>Cuba's state newspaper, Granma, accused Trump of "directing a coup d'état" by recognizing Guaidó.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-uprising-against-maduro-trump-military-intervention-2019-1">Venezuela's uprising against Maduro may put Trump's musings about military intervention to the test</a></em></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Guaidó greets supporters in Caracas on Wednesday. Eleven countries in Latin America said they supported him.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The Mexican government <a href="https://twitter.com/r_velascoa/status/1088223018181103616">said</a> it would not take sides, citing "our constitutional principles of non-intervention, auto-determination, and peaceful solutions to <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international">international</keyword> conflicts."</p><p>Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that supporting Guaidó was a violation of sovereignty, according to Reuters, appearing to implicitly criticize nations which have taken that stance.</p><p>Uruguay, Guyana, and Santa Lucia have also refused to take sides, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/24/juan-guaido-venezuelas-opposition-leader-declares-himself-interim-president">Al Jazeera</a>. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">US President Donald Trump announced his support for Guaidó on Wednesday night. Maduro expelled all American diplomats out of his country in response.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Guaidó and Maduro's contest for power has also divided countries outside of Latin America.</p><p>The US and Canada formally recognized Guaidó as interim president on Wednesday, while Russia and Turkey pledged support for Maduro.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service</span></p><p class="caption">Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Maduro. Their countries have close military and financial ties.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Multiple Russian officials, including Russian Federation Council's information committee chairman Alexei Pushkov and MP Vladimir Dzhabrailov, described Guaidó's declaration as a "coup," according to Reuters and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/24/juan-guaido-venezuelas-opposition-leader-declares-himself-interim-president">The Guardian</a>.</p><p>Russia has long supported Maduro's regime with arms and financial loans.</p><p>Maduro called for US diplomats to immediately leave Venezuela shortly after Trump announced his support for Guaidó.</p><p>Washington rejected Maduro's demands, saying it would only listen to Guaidó's government, according to Reuters.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/finland-number-one-country-to-travel-to-in-2019-2019-1">Finland is the number one country to travel to in 2019</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Almost every country in Latin America sided with Trump against Venezuela's embattled president Maduro

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>A month after two people died and 300 were injured in clashes at the Colombia-Venezuela border, a report from The New York Times suggests that a protester was likely behind an aid truck that caught on fire, not Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's troops, who US officials had thought were behind the incident.</li><li>The report cites new footage of the event showing a protester throwing a Molotov cocktail minutes before an aid truck caught fire.</li><li>US officials didn't name Maduro in a statement but said he was responsible for "creating the conditions for violence."</li></ul><p>Last month, an US-backed effort to break Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro's block on convoys at the border of Venezuela-Colombia and deliver foreign aid resulted on two people dead and another 300 injured.</p><p>The US government said that Maduro supporters were believed to be behind the chaos<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/world/americas/venezuela-aid-fire-video.html."> but a new report and video evidence </a>from the New York Times suggests that a protester was seemingly responsible.</p><p>Unpublished footage reviewed by the New York Times looked at in conjunction with existing footage implies that an "antigovernment protester was the most likely trigger for the blaze." The footage shows the same protester in a different video hitting a truck with a Molotov cocktail minutes before.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-standoff-turns-deadly-as-troops-block-aid-delivery-2019-2">Venezuelan border clash leaves 2 dead and 300 injured as troops shower protesters with tear gas and aid supplies are set ablaze</a></em></p><p>Here's a video that shows some of the footage:</p><p>&#xa0;</p><p>Maduro's handling of the economy has led to chaos in the country and caused three million people to leave in recent years.</p><p>In addition to questions about the protester, Maduro's critics say that he ordered medication to be set on fire, but the videos do not show evidence about the claim.</p><p>"Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire started when Maduro's forces violently blocked the entry of humanitarian assistance," American officials said in a statement after being contacted by the Times.</p><p>The officials still held Maduro responsible for "creating the conditions for violence," said Garrett Marquis, a spokesman for the National Security Council.</p><p>He added, "His thugs denied the entry of tons of food and medicine, while thousands of courageous volunteers sought to safeguard and deliver aid to Venezuelan families."</p><p>Nearly 50 nations recognize Maduro's rival, <span>&#xa0;opposition leader Juan Guaido, as the nation's rightful president. He has been <a href="http://time.com/5547753/venezuela-blackout-nicolas-maduro-juan-guaido/">calling</a> for international aid to be allowed into the country, but Maduro's soldiers have been ordered to stop shipments in because he says they are part of a coup to overthrow him.</span></p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-praised-questioning-michael-cohen-hearing-trump-2019-2">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being praised for her line of questioning at Michael Cohen's hearing - watch it here</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Protesters reportedly set aid trucks along the Venezuela-Colombia border on fire after US government officials thought Maduro was responsible

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/neymar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neymar</a> limped off the pitch after appearing to suffer a knee injury during a practise session with the Brazil national team on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/neymar-limps-out-of-brazil-training-with-suspected-knee/slkxgy5fp7zn1odh3tl1ggxv6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goal.com reports.</a></li><li>The injury punctuates a problematic week for the Paris Saint-Germain forward after he was stripped of the Brazil national team captaincy on Saturday, reportedly because of recent disciplinary issues.</li><li>Despite all of this, he <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-arrives-soccer-practice-brazil-helicopter-worth-millions-2019-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrived at a recent training session</a> by landing a black Mercedes Benz helicopter in the middle of the training ground.</li><li>Brazil will attempt to win its first Copa America tournament in 12 years when the quadrennial international tournament kicks off in two weeks.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/neymar?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neymar</a>'s preparations for the upcoming Copa America tournament in Brazil have taken a hit as he limped out of a training session with a knee injury just days after being stripped of the captaincy.</p><p>The Copa America, a prestigious quadrennial international tournament, pits the best South American countries (plus invitational nations from Asia) against one another and, this summer, showcases elite talents like the Argentina forward Lionel Messi, the Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez, and the Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez.</p><p>As Brazil, an eight-time champion, has not won the competition since 2007, it will be desperate to triumph on home soil, particularly as it will help banish the negative memories associated with its underwhelming performance when it last hosted a major soccer tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.</p><p>But an injury to its star player, Neymar, will make success tougher as the 27-year-old appeared to suffer a knee injury during a practise session at the Granja Comary training complex in Teresopolis on Tuesday.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kylian-mbappe-better-at-real-madrid-than-neymar-vicente-del-bosque-23-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A former Real Madrid manager says he'd rather see Kylian Mbappe at the club than Neymar because the Brazilian acts like a child</a></em></p><p>It all happened when he set his body up to take a shot. But after testing the goalkeeper, he then hobbled away from the penalty area before clutching his knee in obvious pain.</p><p>He appeared to be in discomfort for almost an entire minute and attempted to return to the training session, but later hobbled off the pitch for good.</p><p><strong>Watch the ordeal here:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/neymar-limps-out-of-brazil-training-with-suspected-knee/slkxgy5fp7zn1odh3tl1ggxv6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goal.com reports</a> that Neymar has received treatment and "will remain under evaluation," according to the Brazilian Football Confederation. But aside from this, it is unclear how severe Neymar's injury really is.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-this-skill-is-so-smooth-it-belongs-in-an-iconic-nike-advert-2019-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This Neymar skill is so smooth it belongs in Nike's iconic World Cup airport advert</a></em></p><p>The training ground injury punctuates a problematic week for Neymar, as Brazil manager Tite stripped the player of the captain's armband on Saturday so he could instead award it to veteran full back Dani Alves.</p><p>Neymar had only held the role for eight months but <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48430168" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC said</a> Tite removed him as captain because of "recent disciplinary issues."</p><p>French soccer authorities recently slapped Neymar with a three match ban after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-apologized-for-lashing-out-at-fan-after-french-cup-final-defeat-2019-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he appeared to hit a fan after PSG suffered a shock loss to Rennes</a> in the Coupe de France final, last month.</p><p>Despite all of this, Neymar arrived at a recent training session <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-arrives-soccer-practice-brazil-helicopter-worth-millions-2019-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a black Mercedes Benz helicopter</a> worth close to $15 million, smiling and laughing all the while.</p><p>The Copa America tournament kicks off with Brazil's opening Group A match against Bolivia on June 14. The final will be held on July 7 at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro.</p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lifelong-iphone-user-switches-android-samsung-galaxy-s10-2019-5">I've used iPhones for nearly a decade and switched to the Samsung Galaxy S10. Now I understand Android loyalty in a way I never understood before.</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Neymar limped out of training with a knee injury just days after being stripped of the Brazil captaincy

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Several EU countries demanded that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro call new elections by Sunday amid the country's political chaos.</strong></li><li><strong>Maduro refused to do so, telling Spanish TV on Sunday: "We don't accept ultimatums from anyone."</strong></li><li><strong>At the same time, US President Donald Trump - who backs Maduro opponent Juan Guaidó - is considering sending troops into Venezuela.</strong></li><li><strong>Maduro threatened to plunge Venezuela into civil war if Trump went ahead with this reported plan.</strong></li></ul><p>The beleaguered Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro refused to call new elections in response to demands from several European countries.</p><p>He also warned that the US presidency would be "stained with blood" if President Donald Trump goes ahead with his reported plans to intervene.</p><p>EU countries including Austria, Britain, France, Germany, and Spain last week told Maduro to call fresh elections by Sunday or else they would formally recognize Maduro's opponent, Juan Guaidó, as Venezuela's interim president.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>Guaidó, the National Assembly president, declared himself the country's interim president last month. Anti-Maduro critics accused Maduro of vote-rigging in last May's presidential elections. They say his current presidency, which started on January 10, is unconstitutional and fraudulent.</p><p>Tens of thousands of people have been protesting against Maduro over the past month. Maduro has presided over one of the world's worst economic crises and produced hundreds of thousands of refugees across Venezuela's borders.</p><p>Maduro rejected the European countries' call on Sunday - the day of the deadline - <a href="https://www.lasexta.com/programas/salvados/mejores-momentos/la-respuesta-de-maduro-al-ultimatum-de-sanchez-es-como-si-yo-obligara-a-la-union-europea-a-reconocer-la-republica-de-cataluna-video_201902035c574f660cf292b10e4a0f87.html">and told the Spanish TV channel laSexta</a>: "We don't accept ultimatums from anyone."</p><p>"It's as if I told the European Union that I give it a few days to recognize the Republic of Catalonia," he added, referring to the Spanish region of Catalonia's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/catalan-independence">failed attempt to break away from Spain</a> in October 2017.</p><p>Catalonia's regional president, Carles Puigdemont, declared autonomy from Spain after a contested referendum, before Madrid's Constitutional Court <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spains-top-court-cancels-catalonias-declaration-of-independence-2017-11">canceled the independence bid</a> a month later. Spanish authorities have since arrested and detained some of Puigdemont's allies.</p><p>Britain, Denmark, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden formally recognized Guaidó as Venezuela's interim president on Monday in response to Maduro's refusal to organize new elections, Sky News <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak/status/1092374308842885120">reported</a>.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><h2>'Stop, stop, Donald Trump!'</h2><p>Maduro on Sunday also warned that Trump's presidency would be "stained with blood" if Trump decided to intervene in Venezuela.</p><p>Trump, who openly backs Guaidó as interim president, on Sunday said that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-says-sending-military-to-venezuela-an-option-cbs-2019-2?r=US&amp;IR=T">sending troops to Venezuela was "an option."</a></p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-new-venezuela-envoy-elliot-abrams-polarizing-figure-latin-america-2019-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">Trump's man to handle Venezuela crisis was convicted in Iran-Contra affair and fought to cover-up worst massacre in recent Latin American history</a></em></p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>Maduro, in response, threatened the possibility of his country descending into widespread violence.</p><p>When laSexta asked whether the political turmoil could end in civil war, <a href="https://www.lasexta.com/programas/salvados/mejores-momentos/el-mensaje-de-maduro-a-la-ue-sobre-el-ultimatum-para-convocar-elecciones-no-dare-mi-brazo-a-torcer-no-vuelvan-a-subestimar-a-venezuela-video_201902035c574f7c0cf292b10e4a0fa6.html">Maduro said</a>: "Nobody can answer now with certainty. Everything depends on the level of madness and aggressiveness of the northern empire," referring to the US.</p><p>He also <a href="https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/internacional/entrevista-jordi-evole-nicolas-maduro-titulares_201902035c5750600cf2c93edd47b900.html">told laSexta</a> that "thousands of innocent Venezuelans may end up paying with their lives ... if the US empire attacks the country."</p><p>"Stop, stop, Donald Trump!" Maudro added. "You are making mistakes that are going to stain your hands with blood, and you are going to leave the presidency stained with blood. Stop!"</p><p>"Or is it that you are going to repeat a Vietnam in Latin America?" he said.</p><p>Maduro on Sunday also warned Guaidó to "stop this coup-mongering strategy and stop simulating a presidency in which nobody elected him."</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-guaido-changes-3-tests-for-taking-power-new-ones-are-easier-2019-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">Guaidó argued</a> in The New York Times last week that his interim presidency was not a "self-proclamation" because the Venezuelan constitution says there if there is "no elected head of state", he becomes interim president.</p><p>He argues that, since Maduro is not legitimate in his eyes, that condition has been fulfilled.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-guaido-changes-3-tests-for-taking-power-new-ones-are-easier-2019-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">Venezuela's 'interim president' set himself 3 tests to secure power. He just changed the hardest one to something he already has.</a><br /></em></p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>The US, EU, Canada, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-almost-all-latin-america-like-trump-supports-maduro-rival-2019-1">almost all of Latin America</a> formally recognize Guaidó as interim president.</p><p>While military leaders around Venezuela declared their loyalty to Maduro two weeks ago, there are signs that some are breaking ranks. One senior air force general, who was not named, recognized Guaidó as interim chief, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-says-sending-military-to-venezuela-an-option-cbs-2019-2?r=US&amp;IR=T">Reuters reported</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venezuela-coup-odds-rise-as-maduro-stays-2019-2">The odds of a military coup in Venezuela rise every day Maduro stays in office</a></em></p><p>Russia, China, Turkey, Syria, Bolivia, and Cuba back Maduro, and have accused Guaidó-supporting countries of meddling in Venezuela's domestic <keyword id="6358883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="politics">politics</keyword>.</p><p>Russia on Monday said the EU's coordinated move to recognize Guaidó amounted to foreign meddling, Sky News <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak/status/1092362128370139137">reported</a>.</p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bud-light-dilly-dilly-viral-commercial-super-bowl-campaign-2017-12">Bud Light's 'Dilly Dilly' just made a comeback at the Super Bowl with a weird crossover ad with Game of Thrones - here's what the phrase means</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Maduro refuses Europe's ultimatum to call new elections in Venezuela, and threatens a White House 'stained with blood' if Trump intervenes

<p class="source"><span>Associated Press</span></p><p class="caption">Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban reviews the honor guard as he arrives to meet Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, in Rome, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>On Monday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban effectively became the world's newest dictator when the country's parliament voted to suspend elections and granted him the power to rule by decree with no time limit. </li><li>"At this point, Hungary is a full-on dictatorship. No if, ands, or buts. This was simply the last step in the process," Sheri Berman, a political scientist at Barnard College, told Insider. </li><li>But experts on authoriatiarnism say that while Hungary presents a particularly concerning case in terms of leaders exploiting the crisis, it is not unique. </li><li>"Authoritarian leaders, whether in authoritarian regimes (e.g. China and Venezuela) or in (nominal) democracies (e.g Israel and UK), are using the coronavirus crisis, like most crises, to strengthen their grip on power and weaken dissent and opposition," Cas Mudde, a political scientist at the University of Georgia, told Insider. </li></ul><p>The coronavirus pandemic has morphed Hungary into a full-blown authoritarian state, as autocratic leaders around the world are exploiting panic and fear surrounding the virus to consolidate power and dismantle democracy, experts warn. </p><p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hungary-prime-minister-viktor-orban-seizes-full-control-during-outbreak-2020-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">granted sweeping emergency powers</a> by the country's parliament in order to combat the coronavirus, giving him the right to rule by decree indefinitely (the power to bypass the national assembly) and suspend existing laws. The European Union member has also suspended future elections, effectively eradicating democracy in the country and making Orban the world's newest dictator.</p><p>Orban, one of Europe's most controversial leaders who's garnered a reputation for <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/research/anti-muslim-populism-in-hungary-from-the-margins-to-the-mainstream/">Islamophobia</a>, xenophobia, and <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-anti-semitism-problem-hungary-jews/">anti-Semitism</a>, was already widely considered to be a populist authoritarian and an enemy to democratic values.   </p><p>"At this point, Hungary is a full-on dictatorship. No if, ands, or buts. This was simply the last step in the process," Sheri Berman, a professor of political science at Barnard College and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Dictatorship-Europe-Ancien-Present/dp/0199373191">"Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe,"</a> told Insider. </p><p>Hungary's new law also includes harsh penalties - up to five years in prison - for anyone the Hungarian government decides has disseminated "false" information.</p><p>Human rights groups and top European officials have expressed grave concern about Orban's new powers. </p><p>"This bill creates an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency and give Viktor Orban and his government carte blanche to restrict human rights," David Vig, Amnesty International's Hungary Director, <a href="https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/granting-government-in-hungary-unlimited-powers-under-new-covid-19-law-is-disturbing-development/">said in a statement.</a> "This is not the way to address the very real crisis that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."</p><p>Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/eu-warns-hungary-flout-democracy-coronavirus-laws-200331214104464.html">warned Hungary</a> it's "of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values...democracy cannot work without free and independent media."</p><h2>The global coronavirus power grab</h2><p>Orban is hardly unique in terms of using the coronavirus crisis as a means of extending or expanding his rule. </p><p>"Authoritarian leaders, whether in authoritarian regimes (e.g. China and Venezuela) or in (nominal) democracies (e.g Israel and UK), are using the coronavirus crisis, like most crises, to strengthen their grip on power and weaken dissent and opposition," Cas Mudde, a political scientist at the University of Georgia who's an expert on populism, extremism, and democracy, told Insider. </p><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he delivers a statement during his visit at the Health Ministry national hotline, in Kiryat Malachi, Israel</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of conducting a <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-americans-beware-trump-could-emulate-netanyahu-s-coronavirus-coup-1.8694701">"coronavirus coup."</a> Netanyahu, who's been indicted on corruption charges, has seen his trial delayed and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-gantz-netanyahu-unity-government-reports-2020-3">rule of the country extended amid the pandemic.</a></p><p>"In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to use the coronavirus to extend his power, and thereby stay out of prison, but he still has to depend on alliances with independent parties and politicians," Mudde, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Far-Right-Today-Cas-Mudde/dp/1509536841">"The Far Right Today,"</a> said.</p><p>"Hungary is particularly problematic, as the government has virtually no counterpower and liberal democracy had been largely dismantled in the past decade. Consequently, as Orban now rules by decree, and most courts have already been under his rule, Hungary has become truly an authoritarian state, despite its nominal democratic facade," Mudde added.</p><p>Echoing this perspective, Berman said the most striking instance of a leader using coronavirus panic as a power grab is Hungary. But she added that "other dictatorial minded leaders," such as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian  President Jair Bolsonaro, are also "exploiting the crisis and people's fears to attempt to consolidate power and undermine their opponents."</p><p>From Brazil to Belarus, authoritarian-minded leaders are are "using fear to consolidate their power while at the same time peddling untruths about the causes and nature of the crisis," Berman said.</p><h2>The pandemic could lead to an erosion of democracy worldwide</h2><p>Bolsonaro, who has misleadingly called the novel coronavirus a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/world/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-coronavirus.html">"measly cold,"</a> has been attacking the media and accusing it of attempting to spark hysteria over the pandemic to undermine his government. The Brazilian leader has ignored science and remained obstinate over adopting measures, such as lockdowns, to quell the spread of the virus. </p><p>Similarly, Erdogan's government in recent days has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/31/coronavirus-is-exposing-flaws-erdogans-strongman-rule/">detained people</a>, including <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kolombomalik">a trucker driver</a> who shared a video that trended on social media, who have been critical of its response to the virus. </p><p>In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has been granted broad emergency powers and has warned he's ordered the police and military to shoot anyone who "creates trouble." </p><p>"Let this be a warning to all. Follow the government at this time because it is critical that we have order," <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/dead-duterte-warns-violating-lockdown-200401164531160.html">Duterte said on Wednesday.</a> "And do not harm the health workers, the doctors...because that is a serious crime. My orders to the police and the military, if anyone creates trouble, and their lives are in danger: shoot them dead."</p><p>Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has rejected the science on coronavirus over what he refers to as the global "psychosis" surrounding the pandemic. Lukashenko, who has been in power for a quarter century and is known for brutal crackdowns on dissent, has encouraged citizens to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/31/coronavirus-belarus-urges-citizens-to-drink-vodka-visit-saunas.html">drink vodka and visit the sauna to stay healthy.</a></p><p class="source"><span>Alex Brandon/AP</span></p><p class="caption">President Donald Trump is seated before a dinner with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, left, at Mar-a-Lago, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Palm Beach, Fla. turday, March 7, 2020, in Palm Beach, Florida.</p><p>In many countries, including <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/02/coronavirus-and-blindness-authoritarianism/606922/">China</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/world/middleeast/israel-coronavirus-cellphone-tracking.html">Israel</a>, governments are engaging in invasive surveillance in the name of public health. Coronavirus has also seen governments worldwide, from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/03/21/world/americas/21reuters-health-coronavirus-bolivia.html">Bolivia</a> to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-chile/chile-to-postpone-referendum-on-new-constitution-as-coronavirus-concerns-grow-idUSKBN2163TL">Chile</a>, postpone elections or important referendums. </p><p>Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-using-racism-against-china-to-distract-from-coronavirus-failures-2020-3">blamed China for the spread of the virus</a>, for a time referring to it as the "Chinese virus." Though Trump has taken a more serious tone on the pandemic this week, the president and his political allies in both Congress and the media (Fox News) have suggested, without evidence, that <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/03/fox-business-covid-19-is-a-coronavirus-impeachment-scam.html">Democrats hyperbolized the threat of coronavirus</a> in order to hurt his reelection chances.  </p><p>The trend of autocrats and would-be authoritarians downplaying the threat of coronavirus and scapegoating or blaming other groups could backfire as the pandemic worsens, but the emergency powers such leaders are being granted at present are also increasing fears among experts about the long-term erosion of democracy across the world. </p><p>"We could have a parallel epidemic of authoritarian and repressive measures following close if not on the heels of a health epidemic," Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/world/europe/coronavirus-governments-power.html">told the New York Times on Monday.</a></p><p>"In times of crisis, checks and balances are often ignored in the name of executive power. The danger is that the temporary can become permanent," Florian Bieber, a professor history and politics at the University of Graz, Austria, wrote in <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/30/authoritarianism-coronavirus-lockdown-pandemic-populism/">a recent op-ed</a> for Foreign Policy. "If strongmen are threatened with a loss of legitimacy, they're likely to double down on their authoritarian practices and take advantage of the state of emergency to consolidate power" </p><p class="tagline"><i>Do you have a personal experience with the coronavirus you'd like to share? Or a tip on how your town or community is handling the pandemic? Please email <a href="mailto:covidtips@businessinsider.com">covidtips@businessinsider.com</a> and tell us your story.</i></p><p><i>And get the latest <a href="/coronavirus-business-impact">coronavirus analysis and research</a> from Business Insider Intelligence on how COVID-19 is impacting businesses.</i></p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-coronavirus-contradicting-public-health-officials-2020-3">6 times Trump contradicted public officials about the coronavirus pandemic</a></h3>

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