Venezuela’s Guaidó says he had meetings with military

Venezuela’s opposition has had clandestine meetings with members of the country’s military and security forces to win support for ousting President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaidó, said in an opinion piece published on Wednesday.

Guaidó declared himself interim president earlier this month and was immediately recognized by the US and several Latin American countries.

Major powers Russia and China back Maduro and military support is seen as crucial to his hold on power.

The crisis comes as Maduro began a second term after controversial polls.

Many opposition candidates were barred from running or jailed.

About three million people have fled Venezuela amid acute economic problems, and there has been an upsurge in violence in recent weeks.

US President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday that he had spoken to Guaidó and supported his "historic assumption of the presidency", writing in a second tweet that "The fight for freedom has begun!"

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt meanwhile is expected to urge EU nations to impose sanctions on key figures in Maduro's government on Thursday, after also speaking to Guaidó on Wednesday.

US officials have previously stated that all options "are on the table" to resolve the crisis in Venezuela, which observers have taken to include possible military action.

Bolton also appeared at a news briefing with a notepad showing the words "5,000 troops to Colombia", which borders Venezuela.

“The transition will require support from key military contingents. We have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces,” Guaidó said in an opinion piece published by the New York Times. “The military’s withdrawal of support from (President Nicolas) Maduro is crucial to enabling a change in government.”

The article also says the opposition has offered an amnesty to armed forces "found not guilty of crimes against humanity".

However, Guaidó did not say who in the military he had been speaking with or what their positions were.