WEBVTT 00:02.000 --> 00:04.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Venezuela's main opposition leader, Juan Guaido, returned to his country 00:04.433 --> 00:08.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% today, a week after deadly clashes erupted over aid shipments delivered to his nation's 00:08.566 --> 00:10.700 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% borders. 00:10.700 --> 00:13.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Today, thousands gathered in the streets of Caracas, the capital, to welcome home the 00:13.966 --> 00:17.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% man the U.S. considers the rightful president of Venezuela. 00:17.866 --> 00:22.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Guaido says he will continue his effort to unseat sitting President Nicolas Maduro. 00:23.733 --> 00:25.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Nick Schifrin has this update. 00:25.800 --> 00:29.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Juan Guaido had kept details of his travel back into the country secret, 00:30.800 --> 00:33.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% fearing the Maduro government might arrest him. 00:33.433 --> 00:36.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The U.S. had warned it would impose a -- quote - - "strong and significant response" if anything 00:36.600 --> 00:38.700 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% happened to him. 00:38.700 --> 00:42.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But Guaido arrived safely in Caracas, and urged his supporters to intensify their campaign 00:42.766 --> 00:45.266 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% against Maduro. 00:45.266 --> 00:46.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% JUAN GUAIDO, President, Venezuelan National Assembly (through translator): They threaten 00:46.700 --> 00:47.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% all of us here. 00:47.966 --> 00:50.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They threatened me with jail and death. 00:50.066 --> 00:54.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It will not be through persecution, it will not be through threats they will hold us back. 00:54.100 --> 00:56.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We are here, and we're more united than ever. 00:56.600 --> 00:58.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We are here and are stronger than ever. 00:58.800 --> 01:02.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: The U.S. has been supporting Guaido even before he declared himself interim 01:02.700 --> 01:04.633 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% president on January 23. 01:04.633 --> 01:09.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But, so far, Maduro has resisted pressure to step down, and doesn't appear to be going 01:09.333 --> 01:10.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% anywhere. 01:10.833 --> 01:13.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, what's next and where does the opposition go from here? 01:13.400 --> 01:17.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% To talk about that, I'm joined by Carlos Vecchio, Guaido's representative here in Washington, 01:17.233 --> 01:20.766 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% who is recognized by the administration as the Venezuelan ambassador. 01:20.766 --> 01:22.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Thank you very much for being on the "NewsHour." 01:22.600 --> 01:24.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO, U.S.-Recognized Venezuelan Ambassador: Thank you for having me. 01:24.633 --> 01:28.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: So far, Maduro has resisted international diplomatic pressure, massive 01:30.900 --> 01:33.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% political protests in the streets, major sanctions,and an effort to force in humanitarian aid. 01:35.700 --> 01:38.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, what can you realistically to increase the pressure and oust Maduro? 01:38.833 --> 01:43.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: Well, what we saw today tells you that we're in the right path. 01:45.033 --> 01:47.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I mean, we have a man of his word. 01:47.733 --> 01:51.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% He said and he promised to the people of Venezuela that he would return to Venezuela. 01:51.200 --> 01:52.766 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% He did it. 01:52.766 --> 01:55.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And this makes us stronger. 01:55.933 --> 01:58.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And I think the regime is weaker. 01:58.366 --> 02:02.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we need to increase all the pressure at the street levels with demonstrations. 02:02.866 --> 02:05.733 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% We are calling for a new demonstration this coming Saturday. 02:05.733 --> 02:10.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We will need to increase our pressure at the level of the National Assembly, which Islamist 02:10.033 --> 02:13.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% only elected institution in Venezuela, and also from the international community. 02:13.833 --> 02:18.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And if we increase the level of pressure in these three different levels, I think we could 02:19.933 --> 02:21.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% find a peaceful solution in Venezuela. 02:21.866 --> 02:23.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% That's what we want. 02:23.900 --> 02:25.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: If those three elements of pressure doesn't work, would you support a 02:25.500 --> 02:27.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% military intervention? 02:27.533 --> 02:31.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say we want to work with these three different levels. 02:31.066 --> 02:32.666 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Nobody wants a war. 02:32.666 --> 02:34.533 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% We have a war in place right now. 02:34.533 --> 02:39.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Maduro has created a manmade disaster in Venezuela. 02:39.366 --> 02:43.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We are having the consequence of having a war with a war in certain way. 02:43.533 --> 02:46.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And he's trying to push to that scenario. 02:46.433 --> 02:48.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And we need to avoid it. 02:48.333 --> 02:50.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% That's why we need to increase the pressure now. 02:50.033 --> 02:53.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We have the opportunity to avoid a war right now. 02:53.033 --> 02:56.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So we need to increase that pressure if we want to find a peaceful solution in Venezuela. 02:56.966 --> 03:01.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But, of course, all the options will be on the table, but the main obstacle for a peaceful 03:01.933 --> 03:03.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% solution in Venezuela is Maduro. 03:03.700 --> 03:05.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% That's why we need to increase the pressure now. 03:05.766 --> 03:08.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: One of the points of pressure, of course, will be economic. 03:08.733 --> 03:13.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% The economy is expected to collapse even more than it already has in the coming months, 03:13.233 --> 03:15.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% thanks to U.S. sanctions. 03:15.200 --> 03:19.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Do you fear that, as that economic pressure increases, the people of Venezuela will be 03:19.433 --> 03:22.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% hurt even more before Maduro is ousted? 03:22.266 --> 03:25.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say that the worst sanction that Venezuela has is Maduro. 03:25.800 --> 03:30.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% All this disaster started a long way ago, even before the sanctions were imposed. 03:32.800 --> 03:36.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, if Maduro continues in power, you will see a catastrophe in Venezuela. 03:36.233 --> 03:39.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% You will see more than five million people out of Venezuela. 03:39.066 --> 03:41.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, that's why we need to stop that. 03:41.400 --> 03:42.400 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% It's enough. 03:42.400 --> 03:44.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Twenty years has been too much. 03:44.500 --> 03:49.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We have a huge opportunity in front of us in order to recover our democracy. 03:51.266 --> 03:54.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So the time to increase the pressure is now to avoid exactly what we are seeing right 03:54.166 --> 03:55.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% now in Venezuela. 03:55.600 --> 03:58.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Maduro has imposed 10 million percent of inflation. 03:58.066 --> 04:03.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We don't have any sanction from the U.S., any sanction, and Maduro has imposed 80 percent 04:04.433 --> 04:06.433 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% of poverty in Venezuela. 04:06.433 --> 04:11.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The economic collapse is twice the size of the Great Depression the U.S. had during the 04:11.233 --> 04:12.233 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% '30s. 04:12.233 --> 04:14.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So, the problem is Maduro. 04:14.233 --> 04:18.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And if we want to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, we need to recover our 04:18.066 --> 04:19.433 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% democracy. 04:19.433 --> 04:21.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We need to end the usurpation of power of Maduro. 04:21.500 --> 04:24.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And that's why we are pushing this pressure in Venezuela on the streets. 04:24.533 --> 04:27.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: The military will be much of the linchpin here. 04:27.700 --> 04:31.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% A lot of people describe the military's support of Maduro as really the only reason that he 04:31.966 --> 04:33.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% can maintain power. 04:33.466 --> 04:35.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Have you had any talks directly with the military leadership? 04:35.633 --> 04:38.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: We have been talking with them publicly. 04:38.133 --> 04:42.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Juan Guaido is the new commander in chief of the armed force. 04:42.733 --> 04:45.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we are telling them, I mean, you need to support the constitution. 04:45.766 --> 04:48.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% You need to back the new president of Venezuela. 04:48.000 --> 04:51.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% You need to be on the side of the people who are suffering. 04:51.366 --> 04:56.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And the majority of the soldiers, troops, they are with us, because they are Venezuelans. 04:56.066 --> 04:59.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They are suffering the same thing that all the united people are suffering. 04:59.200 --> 05:01.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So they know the reality. 05:01.300 --> 05:04.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And at the end of the day, I will -- they will support what we are doing. 05:04.200 --> 05:06.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They will support the change in Venezuela. 05:06.233 --> 05:10.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I don't have any doubt that the military, at the end of the day, will support what we 05:10.733 --> 05:12.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% are doing. 05:12.833 --> 05:14.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: But, as you know, the commanders of military, the leadership of the military... 05:14.933 --> 05:15.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% CARLOS VECCHIO: You mean the top? 05:15.933 --> 05:18.033 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% Yes. 05:18.033 --> 05:19.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: The top of the military does still support Maduro and gets... 05:19.533 --> 05:21.566 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% CARLOS VECCHIO: Yes. 05:21.566 --> 05:22.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: ... quite a lot of economic, diplomatic, political incentives from the 05:22.666 --> 05:24.166 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% government. 05:24.166 --> 05:25.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: They are loyal, until they aren't. 05:25.100 --> 05:26.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% That has been our history. 05:26.600 --> 05:28.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: So, how do you -- what's the tipping point? 05:28.200 --> 05:29.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% How do you convince them not to be loyal? 05:29.766 --> 05:31.866 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 05:31.866 --> 05:34.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say, if we increase the level of pressure in these three different 05:34.000 --> 05:38.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% levels, on the streets, from the National Assembly, from the international community, 05:38.433 --> 05:43.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that will help to move also the military force to back what we are doing in Venezuela. 05:43.166 --> 05:45.700 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: Much of the pressure, of course, has come from the U.S. 05:45.700 --> 05:47.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Much of the support you receive has come from the U.S. 05:47.966 --> 05:52.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Do you fear that gives Maduro a convenient excuse, where he can say, look, it's the Yankees 05:52.866 --> 05:54.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% who are doing this, and that's part of the problem? 05:54.900 --> 05:57.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say that he's manipulating that. 05:57.000 --> 05:58.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% That is not the reality. 05:58.933 --> 06:02.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: But is it not true that the U.S. is supporting you, supporting Guaido? 06:02.000 --> 06:04.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% CARLOS VECCHIO: No, no, it has become a strong ally. 06:04.233 --> 06:08.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But I would say that this is a movement led by Venezuelans, under the leadership of Juan 06:08.533 --> 06:10.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Guaido as interim president. 06:10.100 --> 06:12.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The people that you saw in that video, are they Americans? 06:12.800 --> 06:14.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% No, they are Venezuelans. 06:14.266 --> 06:17.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Who was just talking before of them -- before them? 06:17.933 --> 06:18.933 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% Trump? 06:18.933 --> 06:19.933 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% No, Juan Guaido. 06:19.933 --> 06:21.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% He is mobilizing the people. 06:21.600 --> 06:24.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, this is the agenda which has been set by us. 06:24.100 --> 06:28.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, of course, we are getting the support of the international community, and not only 06:28.733 --> 06:32.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% from the U.S., from the most important Latin American countries, and also from the European 06:32.466 --> 06:33.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% countries. 06:33.966 --> 06:36.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So this is a fight between democracy and dictatorship. 06:36.733 --> 06:41.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This is a fight between the free world and the regime of Maduro. 06:42.600 --> 06:44.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So that's the way we see it. 06:44.566 --> 06:48.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I feel so proud to be a Venezuelan and a Latino, because the cause of Venezuela is 06:48.700 --> 06:52.933 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% taking place in our country, because of the courage of our people. 06:52.933 --> 06:57.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They're putting their life at risk right now, including Juan Guaido, in order to achieve 06:57.766 --> 06:59.733 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% our democracy. 06:59.733 --> 07:04.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So we need to respect that. 07:04.000 --> 07:06.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And getting the support of the U.S., that's good. 07:06.033 --> 07:10.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And it has become, as I said, an important ally on this, but, I mean, this is beyond 07:11.700 --> 07:13.700 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% the U.S. 07:13.700 --> 07:15.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Carlos Vecchio, recognized as the ambassador by this administration, 07:15.400 --> 07:16.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% thank you very much. 07:16.600 --> 07:16.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% CARLOS VECCHIO: Thank you for this time.