Energized Guaido returns to Venezuela, vowing move forward

Just hours earlier, Guaido sped through immigration at Venezuela’s main airport outside Caracas without any major incidents. Authorities didn’t stop Guaido, who left the country in defiance of a travel ban imposed by Maduro’s government. (File photo: Juan Guaido M/Facebook)

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is gearing up for the next stage of his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro following his return home from a tour abroad that included a meeting with his most important foreign ally — U.S. President Donald Trump.

An energized Guaido told cheering supporters at a public square in the capital of Caracas late Tuesday that he is armed with the backing of the “free world” to finish the job of reclaiming the nation.

“Today more than ever we have to make our presence known,” Guaido said. “This is not the time to go back. It’s time to move forward.”

Just hours earlier, Guaido sped through immigration at Venezuela’s main airport outside Caracas without any major incidents. Authorities didn’t stop Guaido, who left the country in defiance of a travel ban imposed by Maduro’s government.

But inside the terminal, a woman threw what appeared to be a soft drink can, dousing Guaido, who moments later walked from the airport pumping his right hand over his head.

And outside, an aggressive crowd of Guaido critics shouted, “Dirty traitor!” and “Get out!” Some threw traffic cones and others pounded the hood of an SUV that whisked him away.

Guaido backers shouted his name in support: “Guaido! Guaido!” A few minor clashes broke out between the two sides.

Guaido launched the trip with the goal of redoubling backing in Washington and Europe for the oppositioin’s effort to remove Maduro. The trip’s high-point for Guaido came with a meeting inside the Oval Office with Trump, the day after the U.S. president recognized him as the “legitimate president of Venezuela” during his State of the Union address.

As leader of Venezuela’s opposition-controlled congress, Guaido rose to prominence a year ago when he claimed presidential powers on the grounds that Maduro’s rule is illegitimate after a fraudulent re-election in 2018. He won backing from the United States and more than 50 other nations, though so far has made no visible dent in Maduro’s hold on power.

In addition to his stop in Washington, Guaido met with European leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Guaido told supporters at Tuesday night’s rally that he is holding back some details of his foreign meetings that he is not able to talk about publicly.

“Stay tuned,” he said, teasing the crowd.

In public comments abroad, Guaido urged foreign leaders to increase their support for Venezuelans who are trying to shrug off two decades of socialist rule that have left the country broken, with millions emigrating as public services like water and electricity have become a luxury.

Officials in the Trump administration have said they are considering ways to exert more pressure to force out Maduro. On Friday, the administration hit the Venezuelan state-run airline CONVIASA with sanctions.

Guaido urged Venezuelans to remain unified and to take to the streets again to demonstrate their will to end the government that the opposition calls a “dictatorship.” He did not immediately announce any plans for organized protests.

For his part, Maduro appeared on state television Tuesday to announce new public buses and expanded routes. He didn’t directly mention Guaido or the opposition leader’s return.

“We’re concentrating our efforts on defending Venezuela,” Maduro said, telling supporters not to be distracted by “idiots” and “traitors.”

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Associated Press writer Jorge Rueda contributed to this report.