1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,433 WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Venezuela's main opposition leader, Juan Guaido, returned to his country 2 00:00:04,433 --> 00:00:08,566 today, a week after deadly clashes erupted over aid shipments delivered to his nation's 3 00:00:08,566 --> 00:00:10,700 borders. 4 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:13,966 Today, thousands gathered in the streets of Caracas, the capital, to welcome home the 5 00:00:13,966 --> 00:00:17,866 man the U.S. considers the rightful president of Venezuela. 6 00:00:17,866 --> 00:00:22,866 Guaido says he will continue his effort to unseat sitting President Nicolas Maduro. 7 00:00:23,733 --> 00:00:25,800 Nick Schifrin has this update. 8 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:29,500 NICK SCHIFRIN: Juan Guaido had kept details of his travel back into the country secret, 9 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,433 fearing the Maduro government might arrest him. 10 00:00:33,433 --> 00:00:36,600 The U.S. had warned it would impose a -- quote - - "strong and significant response" if anything 11 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:38,700 happened to him. 12 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:42,766 But Guaido arrived safely in Caracas, and urged his supporters to intensify their campaign 13 00:00:42,766 --> 00:00:45,266 against Maduro. 14 00:00:45,266 --> 00:00:46,700 JUAN GUAIDO, President, Venezuelan National Assembly (through translator): They threaten 15 00:00:46,700 --> 00:00:47,966 all of us here. 16 00:00:47,966 --> 00:00:50,066 They threatened me with jail and death. 17 00:00:50,066 --> 00:00:54,100 It will not be through persecution, it will not be through threats they will hold us back. 18 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:56,600 We are here, and we're more united than ever. 19 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:58,800 We are here and are stronger than ever. 20 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,700 NICK SCHIFRIN: The U.S. has been supporting Guaido even before he declared himself interim 21 00:01:02,700 --> 00:01:04,633 president on January 23. 22 00:01:04,633 --> 00:01:09,333 But, so far, Maduro has resisted pressure to step down, and doesn't appear to be going 23 00:01:09,333 --> 00:01:10,833 anywhere. 24 00:01:10,833 --> 00:01:13,400 So, what's next and where does the opposition go from here? 25 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:17,233 To talk about that, I'm joined by Carlos Vecchio, Guaido's representative here in Washington, 26 00:01:17,233 --> 00:01:20,766 who is recognized by the administration as the Venezuelan ambassador. 27 00:01:20,766 --> 00:01:22,600 Thank you very much for being on the "NewsHour." 28 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:24,633 CARLOS VECCHIO, U.S.-Recognized Venezuelan Ambassador: Thank you for having me. 29 00:01:24,633 --> 00:01:28,433 NICK SCHIFRIN: So far, Maduro has resisted international diplomatic pressure, massive 30 00:01:30,900 --> 00:01:33,933 political protests in the streets, major sanctions,and an effort to force in humanitarian aid. 31 00:01:35,700 --> 00:01:38,833 So, what can you realistically to increase the pressure and oust Maduro? 32 00:01:38,833 --> 00:01:43,833 CARLOS VECCHIO: Well, what we saw today tells you that we're in the right path. 33 00:01:45,033 --> 00:01:47,733 I mean, we have a man of his word. 34 00:01:47,733 --> 00:01:51,200 He said and he promised to the people of Venezuela that he would return to Venezuela. 35 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:52,766 He did it. 36 00:01:52,766 --> 00:01:55,933 And this makes us stronger. 37 00:01:55,933 --> 00:01:58,366 And I think the regime is weaker. 38 00:01:58,366 --> 00:02:02,866 And we need to increase all the pressure at the street levels with demonstrations. 39 00:02:02,866 --> 00:02:05,733 We are calling for a new demonstration this coming Saturday. 40 00:02:05,733 --> 00:02:10,033 We will need to increase our pressure at the level of the National Assembly, which Islamist 41 00:02:10,033 --> 00:02:13,833 only elected institution in Venezuela, and also from the international community. 42 00:02:13,833 --> 00:02:18,833 And if we increase the level of pressure in these three different levels, I think we could 43 00:02:19,933 --> 00:02:21,866 find a peaceful solution in Venezuela. 44 00:02:21,866 --> 00:02:23,900 That's what we want. 45 00:02:23,900 --> 00:02:25,500 NICK SCHIFRIN: If those three elements of pressure doesn't work, would you support a 46 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,533 military intervention? 47 00:02:27,533 --> 00:02:31,066 CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say we want to work with these three different levels. 48 00:02:31,066 --> 00:02:32,666 Nobody wants a war. 49 00:02:32,666 --> 00:02:34,533 We have a war in place right now. 50 00:02:34,533 --> 00:02:39,366 Maduro has created a manmade disaster in Venezuela. 51 00:02:39,366 --> 00:02:43,533 We are having the consequence of having a war with a war in certain way. 52 00:02:43,533 --> 00:02:46,433 And he's trying to push to that scenario. 53 00:02:46,433 --> 00:02:48,333 And we need to avoid it. 54 00:02:48,333 --> 00:02:50,033 That's why we need to increase the pressure now. 55 00:02:50,033 --> 00:02:53,033 We have the opportunity to avoid a war right now. 56 00:02:53,033 --> 00:02:56,966 So we need to increase that pressure if we want to find a peaceful solution in Venezuela. 57 00:02:56,966 --> 00:03:01,933 But, of course, all the options will be on the table, but the main obstacle for a peaceful 58 00:03:01,933 --> 00:03:03,700 solution in Venezuela is Maduro. 59 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:05,766 That's why we need to increase the pressure now. 60 00:03:05,766 --> 00:03:08,733 NICK SCHIFRIN: One of the points of pressure, of course, will be economic. 61 00:03:08,733 --> 00:03:13,233 The economy is expected to collapse even more than it already has in the coming months, 62 00:03:13,233 --> 00:03:15,200 thanks to U.S. sanctions. 63 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,433 Do you fear that, as that economic pressure increases, the people of Venezuela will be 64 00:03:19,433 --> 00:03:22,266 hurt even more before Maduro is ousted? 65 00:03:22,266 --> 00:03:25,800 CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say that the worst sanction that Venezuela has is Maduro. 66 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:30,800 All this disaster started a long way ago, even before the sanctions were imposed. 67 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,233 So, if Maduro continues in power, you will see a catastrophe in Venezuela. 68 00:03:36,233 --> 00:03:39,066 You will see more than five million people out of Venezuela. 69 00:03:39,066 --> 00:03:41,400 So, that's why we need to stop that. 70 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:42,400 It's enough. 71 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,500 Twenty years has been too much. 72 00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:49,400 We have a huge opportunity in front of us in order to recover our democracy. 73 00:03:51,266 --> 00:03:54,166 So the time to increase the pressure is now to avoid exactly what we are seeing right 74 00:03:54,166 --> 00:03:55,600 now in Venezuela. 75 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,066 Maduro has imposed 10 million percent of inflation. 76 00:03:58,066 --> 00:04:03,033 We don't have any sanction from the U.S., any sanction, and Maduro has imposed 80 percent 77 00:04:04,433 --> 00:04:06,433 of poverty in Venezuela. 78 00:04:06,433 --> 00:04:11,233 The economic collapse is twice the size of the Great Depression the U.S. had during the 79 00:04:11,233 --> 00:04:12,233 '30s. 80 00:04:12,233 --> 00:04:14,233 So, the problem is Maduro. 81 00:04:14,233 --> 00:04:18,066 And if we want to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, we need to recover our 82 00:04:18,066 --> 00:04:19,433 democracy. 83 00:04:19,433 --> 00:04:21,500 We need to end the usurpation of power of Maduro. 84 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:24,533 And that's why we are pushing this pressure in Venezuela on the streets. 85 00:04:24,533 --> 00:04:27,700 NICK SCHIFRIN: The military will be much of the linchpin here. 86 00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:31,966 A lot of people describe the military's support of Maduro as really the only reason that he 87 00:04:31,966 --> 00:04:33,466 can maintain power. 88 00:04:33,466 --> 00:04:35,633 Have you had any talks directly with the military leadership? 89 00:04:35,633 --> 00:04:38,133 CARLOS VECCHIO: We have been talking with them publicly. 90 00:04:38,133 --> 00:04:42,733 Juan Guaido is the new commander in chief of the armed force. 91 00:04:42,733 --> 00:04:45,766 And we are telling them, I mean, you need to support the constitution. 92 00:04:45,766 --> 00:04:48,000 You need to back the new president of Venezuela. 93 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,366 You need to be on the side of the people who are suffering. 94 00:04:51,366 --> 00:04:56,066 And the majority of the soldiers, troops, they are with us, because they are Venezuelans. 95 00:04:56,066 --> 00:04:59,200 They are suffering the same thing that all the united people are suffering. 96 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,300 So they know the reality. 97 00:05:01,300 --> 00:05:04,200 And at the end of the day, I will -- they will support what we are doing. 98 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,233 They will support the change in Venezuela. 99 00:05:06,233 --> 00:05:10,733 And I don't have any doubt that the military, at the end of the day, will support what we 100 00:05:10,733 --> 00:05:12,833 are doing. 101 00:05:12,833 --> 00:05:14,933 NICK SCHIFRIN: But, as you know, the commanders of military, the leadership of the military... 102 00:05:14,933 --> 00:05:15,933 CARLOS VECCHIO: You mean the top? 103 00:05:15,933 --> 00:05:18,033 Yes. 104 00:05:18,033 --> 00:05:19,533 NICK SCHIFRIN: The top of the military does still support Maduro and gets... 105 00:05:19,533 --> 00:05:21,566 CARLOS VECCHIO: Yes. 106 00:05:21,566 --> 00:05:22,666 NICK SCHIFRIN: ... quite a lot of economic, diplomatic, political incentives from the 107 00:05:22,666 --> 00:05:24,166 government. 108 00:05:24,166 --> 00:05:25,100 CARLOS VECCHIO: They are loyal, until they aren't. 109 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:26,600 That has been our history. 110 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,200 NICK SCHIFRIN: So, how do you -- what's the tipping point? 111 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:29,766 How do you convince them not to be loyal? 112 00:05:29,766 --> 00:05:31,866 (CROSSTALK) 113 00:05:31,866 --> 00:05:34,000 CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say, if we increase the level of pressure in these three different 114 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:38,433 levels, on the streets, from the National Assembly, from the international community, 115 00:05:38,433 --> 00:05:43,166 that will help to move also the military force to back what we are doing in Venezuela. 116 00:05:43,166 --> 00:05:45,700 NICK SCHIFRIN: Much of the pressure, of course, has come from the U.S. 117 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:47,966 Much of the support you receive has come from the U.S. 118 00:05:47,966 --> 00:05:52,866 Do you fear that gives Maduro a convenient excuse, where he can say, look, it's the Yankees 119 00:05:52,866 --> 00:05:54,900 who are doing this, and that's part of the problem? 120 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:57,000 CARLOS VECCHIO: I would say that he's manipulating that. 121 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:58,933 That is not the reality. 122 00:05:58,933 --> 00:06:02,000 NICK SCHIFRIN: But is it not true that the U.S. is supporting you, supporting Guaido? 123 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,233 CARLOS VECCHIO: No, no, it has become a strong ally. 124 00:06:04,233 --> 00:06:08,533 But I would say that this is a movement led by Venezuelans, under the leadership of Juan 125 00:06:08,533 --> 00:06:10,100 Guaido as interim president. 126 00:06:10,100 --> 00:06:12,800 The people that you saw in that video, are they Americans? 127 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:14,266 No, they are Venezuelans. 128 00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:17,933 Who was just talking before of them -- before them? 129 00:06:17,933 --> 00:06:18,933 Trump? 130 00:06:18,933 --> 00:06:19,933 No, Juan Guaido. 131 00:06:19,933 --> 00:06:21,600 He is mobilizing the people. 132 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,100 So, this is the agenda which has been set by us. 133 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:28,733 And, of course, we are getting the support of the international community, and not only 134 00:06:28,733 --> 00:06:32,466 from the U.S., from the most important Latin American countries, and also from the European 135 00:06:32,466 --> 00:06:33,966 countries. 136 00:06:33,966 --> 00:06:36,733 So this is a fight between democracy and dictatorship. 137 00:06:36,733 --> 00:06:41,733 This is a fight between the free world and the regime of Maduro. 138 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:44,566 So that's the way we see it. 139 00:06:44,566 --> 00:06:48,700 And I feel so proud to be a Venezuelan and a Latino, because the cause of Venezuela is 140 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:52,933 taking place in our country, because of the courage of our people. 141 00:06:52,933 --> 00:06:57,766 They're putting their life at risk right now, including Juan Guaido, in order to achieve 142 00:06:57,766 --> 00:06:59,733 our democracy. 143 00:06:59,733 --> 00:07:04,000 So we need to respect that. 144 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,033 And getting the support of the U.S., that's good. 145 00:07:06,033 --> 00:07:10,933 And it has become, as I said, an important ally on this, but, I mean, this is beyond 146 00:07:11,700 --> 00:07:13,700 the U.S. 147 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:15,400 NICK SCHIFRIN: Carlos Vecchio, recognized as the ambassador by this administration, 148 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:16,600 thank you very much. 149 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:16,733 CARLOS VECCHIO: Thank you for this time.