Venezuelan troops 'ready to die' for their homeland, defense minister says

As Venezuela's self-appointed interim president reportedly works behind the scenes to win over the armed forces, even offering them amnesty for past crimes, the country's defense minister said Monday that the military is "ready to die" for its homeland.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino tweeted the statement as Venezuela's opposition, led by Juan Guaido, head of the National Assembly, called for massive rallies to demand President Nicolas Maduro's ouster, and as Maduro claims the United States has orchestrated a coup to topple him.

On Monday, Maduro slammed US National Security Adviser John Bolton, accusing Bolton and US President Donald Trump's government of openly calling for a coup from Washington.

Speaking in a television address live on state broadcaster VTV, Maduro said, "So now John Bolton openly calls for a coup from Washington, he did so desperately today, with his wild eyes, full of hate, and I tell you John Bolton: John Bolton, in Venezuela what we will have is democracy and respect for this constitution. In Venezuela our armed forces are not coup-mongers." In the same address, Maduro said he holds Trump responsible for any "bloodshed" that might occur in Venezuela.

Maduro took a blow Saturday as Venezuela's military attaché in Washington, Col. José Luis Silva Silva, defected and said he stands with Guaido in the power struggle. Observers say control of the military is key to forcing new elections.

Padrino's remarks, delivered on the official Defense Ministry account, praised Venezuela's military for taking a moral high ground in the face of American "imperialists."

"It is time for revolutionary, Bolivarian, patriotic activism," Padrino tweeted. "This is the activism that today empowers us in this new phase of defending our homeland. We are not going to hand it over! We are ready to die for it!"

(CNN)