By AFPMore by this AuthorCARACAS,An active-duty Venezuelan army colonel who is a military doctor has dropped his allegiance to President Nicolas Maduro, backing opposition leader Juan Guaido instead. He urged his fellow soldiers to help allow humanitarian aid into Venezuela. A week ago, Air Force General Francisco Yanez also dropped his allegiance to Maduro. Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Guaido on Friday refused to rule out the possibility of authorising United States intervention to help force President Nicolas Maduro from power and alleviate a humanitarian crisis. The opposition leader launched a bid to oust Maduro last month, declaring himself interim president, a move recognized by the US and around 50 other countries, including 20 from the European Union.

Source: Daily Nation February 10, 2019 03:33 UTC