Key events leading toward uprising in Venezuela

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, accompanied by civilian protesters and a small contingent of heavily armed troops, called Tuesday for the military to rise up and oust socialist leader Nicolás Maduro. Here's a timeline of recent events leading up to that revolt:

___

February 2014 - Opposition leader Leopoldo López is jailed after turning himself in to authorities on charges including terrorism and incitement to riot. He is later transferred to house arrest.

Jan. 5, 2019 - Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress installs 35-year-old Juan Guaidó as president of the legislature. Guaidó calls President Nicolás Maduro a dictator.

Jan. 10 - Maduro is sworn in for a second term as president, but most Latin American countries, the United States and Canada denounce his government as illegitimate, arguing his re-election was a farce.

Jan. 15 - Opposition lawmakers try to pry the military's loyalty away from Maduro, offering protection to members of the armed forces who support a transitional government.

Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaidó stands before supporters as he addresses them outside La Carlota military air base in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Guaidó, accompanied by civilian protesters and a small contingent of heavily armed troops, called Tuesday for the military to rise up and oust socialist leader Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaidó stands before supporters as he addresses them outside La Carlota military air base in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Guaidó, accompanied by civilian protesters and a small contingent of heavily armed troops, called Tuesday for the military to rise up and oust socialist leader Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Jan. 21 - Security forces put down a pre-dawn uprising by national guardsmen that triggered violent street protests. Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello says at least 27 guardsmen were arrested.

Jan. 23 - Guaidó declares himself interim president before thousands of cheering supporters. The U.S. recognizes him as president and dozens of nations including Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia follow suit.

Jan. 28 - The Trump administration sanctions Venezuela's state-owned oil company, cutting off one of Maduro's most important sources of income and foreign currency along with around $7 billion in assets of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA. National Security Adviser John Bolton warns that any move by Maduro against Guaido "will be met with a significant response."

Feb. 4 - More than a dozen European Union countries endorse Guaidó as the country's interim president.

Feb. 22 - Defying orders banning him from leaving Venezuela, Guaidó appears at a star-studded aid concert in neighboring Colombia, joining thousands of other Venezuelans in pressuring Maduro to allow the delivery of U.S.-backed emergency food and medicine convoys.

Feb. 23 - Venezuelan security forces fire tear gas on protesters trying to deliver aid from Colombia and Brazil, leaving two people dead and some 300 injured. Troops block bridges to prevent the convoys.

March 7 - Much of Venezuela plunges into darkness for several days during the nation's largest-ever blackout.

March 12 - The United States says it is withdrawing its last diplomats still in Caracas

March 13 - Widespread looting is reported during blackouts in Maracaibo, Venezuela's second-largest city.

March 18 - Colombia says about 1,000 members of the Venezuelan security forces have fled to Colombia since February, giving up weapons and uniforms as they abandon Maduro's government.

March 21 - Intelligence agents detain Guaidó's top aide.

March 25 - A new power outage spreads across much of Venezuela, knocking communications offline and stirring fears of a repeat of the chaos.

March 27 - Russia's Foreign Ministry says that Russian military personnel have arrived in Venezuela to support Maduro.

March 29 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it will start distributing assistance to an estimated 650,000 people in Venezuela - an action permitted by Maduro's government.

April 2 - A specially formed constitutional assembly loyal to Maduro strips Guaidó of parliamentary immunity, paving the way for possible prosecution for allegedly violating the constitution by declaring himself interim president.

April 30 - Guaidó takes to the streets with activist López and a small contingent of heavily armed troops in a bold and risky call for the military to rise up and oust Maduro.

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014 file photo, Leopoldo Lopez is flanked by Bolivarian National Guards after Lopez surrendered to authorities in Caracas, Venezuela. López was jailed after turning himself in to authorities on charges including terrorism and incitement to riot. He was later transferred to house arrest. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014 file photo, Leopoldo Lopez is flanked by Bolivarian National Guards after Lopez surrendered to authorities in Caracas, Venezuela. López was jailed after turning himself in to authorities on charges including terrorism and incitement to riot. He was later transferred to house arrest. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2019 file photo, newly-sworn-in National Assembly President Juan Guaidó, center, poses for a group photo with fellow lawmakers, in Caracas, Venezuela. The legislature installed the 35-year-old as president of the opposition-controlled congress. Guaidó called President Nicolás Maduro a dictator. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2019 file photo, newly-sworn-in National Assembly President Juan Guaidó, center, poses for a group photo with fellow lawmakers, in Caracas, Venezuela. The legislature installed the 35-year-old as president of the opposition-controlled congress. Guaidó called President Nicolás Maduro a dictator. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2019 file photo, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro flashes a vee for victory during his swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela. Maduro was sworn in for a second term as president, but most Latin American countries, the United States and Canada denounced his government as illegitimate, arguing his re-election was a farce. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2019 file photo, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro flashes a vee for victory during his swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela. Maduro was sworn in for a second term as president, but most Latin American countries, the United States and Canada denounced his government as illegitimate, arguing his re-election was a farce. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2019 file photo, a loyal National Guard soldier looks out to the street from behind his base's wall after an apparent mutiny by some of his fellow guards in the Cotiza neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. The disturbance started after a group of men dressed in military fatigues and carrying assault weapons published a series of videos on social media saying they won't recognize President Nicolas Maduro's government. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2019 file photo, a loyal National Guard soldier looks out to the street from behind his base's wall after an apparent mutiny by some of his fellow guards in the Cotiza neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. The disturbance started after a group of men dressed in military fatigues and carrying assault weapons published a series of videos on social media saying they won't recognize President Nicolas Maduro's government. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE In this Jan. 21, 2019 file photo, an anti-government protester throws an object at security forces as some residents show support for an apparent mutiny by a national guard unit in the Cotiza neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. Security forces put down the pre-dawn uprising by national guardsmen that triggered violent street protests. Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello said at least 27 guardsmen were arrested. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

FILE In this Jan. 21, 2019 file photo, an anti-government protester throws an object at security forces as some residents show support for an apparent mutiny by a national guard unit in the Cotiza neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela. Security forces put down the pre-dawn uprising by national guardsmen that triggered violent street protests. Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello said at least 27 guardsmen were arrested. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2019 file photo, Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held, during a rally demanding President Nicolas Maduro's resignation, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2019 file photo, Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held, during a rally demanding President Nicolas Maduro's resignation, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2019 file photo, national security adviser John Bolton listens during a press briefing regarding the Trump administration sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, at the White House, in Washington. The sanctions cut off one of Nicolas Maduro's most important sources of income and foreign currency along with around $7 billion in assets of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA. Bolton warned that any move by Maduro against Guaido "will be met with a significant response." (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2019 file photo, national security adviser John Bolton listens during a press briefing regarding the Trump administration sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, at the White House, in Washington. The sanctions cut off one of Nicolas Maduro's most important sources of income and foreign currency along with around $7 billion in assets of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA. Bolton warned that any move by Maduro against Guaido "will be met with a significant response." (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, opposition leader and National Assembly President Juan Guaidó speaks at a conference on economic plans for reviving the country at Venezuelan Central University, in Caracas, Venezuela. Guaidó said that he will defy a government ban on humanitarian aid by sending large convoys of medicine into the country with the help of neighboring nations. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, opposition leader and National Assembly President Juan Guaidó speaks at a conference on economic plans for reviving the country at Venezuelan Central University, in Caracas, Venezuela. Guaidó said that he will defy a government ban on humanitarian aid by sending large convoys of medicine into the country with the help of neighboring nations. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2019 file photo, Venezuela's self proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó arrives for a meeting with university students at the Central University of Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela. More than a dozen European Union countries on Feb. 4 endorsed Guaidó as the country's interim president. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2019 file photo, Venezuela's self proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó arrives for a meeting with university students at the Central University of Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela. More than a dozen European Union countries on Feb. 4 endorsed Guaidó as the country's interim president. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

This Feb. 6, 2019 file image taken from video, shows a fuel tanker, cargo trailers and makeshift fencing, blocking the Tienditas International Bridge in an attempt to stop humanitarian aid entering from Colombia, as seen from the outskirts of Cucuta, on Colombia's border with Venezuela. (AP Photo, File)

This Feb. 6, 2019 file image taken from video, shows a fuel tanker, cargo trailers and makeshift fencing, blocking the Tienditas International Bridge in an attempt to stop humanitarian aid entering from Colombia, as seen from the outskirts of Cucuta, on Colombia's border with Venezuela. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, a child holds a Venezuelan flag during the Venezuela Aid Live concert on the Colombian side of Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. Defying orders banning him from leaving Venezuela, Juan Guaidó appears at a star-studded aid concert in neighboring Colombia, joining thousands of other Venezuelans in pressuring Nicolas Maduro to allow the delivery of U.S.-backed emergency food and medicine convoys. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, a child holds a Venezuelan flag during the Venezuela Aid Live concert on the Colombian side of Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. Defying orders banning him from leaving Venezuela, Juan Guaidó appears at a star-studded aid concert in neighboring Colombia, joining thousands of other Venezuelans in pressuring Nicolas Maduro to allow the delivery of U.S.-backed emergency food and medicine convoys. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019 file photo, a charred truck that was part of a humanitarian aid convoy attempting to cross into Venezuela sits parked on the Francisco de Paula Santander international bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019 file photo, a charred truck that was part of a humanitarian aid convoy attempting to cross into Venezuela sits parked on the Francisco de Paula Santander international bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2019 file photo, a Venezuelan youth, injured in clashes with Venezuelan National Guardsmen, is carried to a safe zone, at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in La Parada, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. At least four people were killed and 300 injured when clashes broke out between state security forces, armed pro-government groups and the opposition as they tried to bring U.S. humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's objections. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2019 file photo, a Venezuelan youth, injured in clashes with Venezuelan National Guardsmen, is carried to a safe zone, at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in La Parada, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela. At least four people were killed and 300 injured when clashes broke out between state security forces, armed pro-government groups and the opposition as they tried to bring U.S. humanitarian aid into the country despite President Nicolas Maduro's objections. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this March 7, 2019 file photo, people walk on a street during a power outage in Caracas, Venezuela. A power outage left much of Venezuela in the dark early Thursday evening in what appeared to be one of the largest blackouts yet in a country where power failures have become increasingly common. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this March 7, 2019 file photo, people walk on a street during a power outage in Caracas, Venezuela. A power outage left much of Venezuela in the dark early Thursday evening in what appeared to be one of the largest blackouts yet in a country where power failures have become increasingly common. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this March 11, 2019 file photo, residents collect water gushing from a leaking pipeline along the banks of the Guaire River amid the country's worst-ever power outage, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this March 11, 2019 file photo, residents collect water gushing from a leaking pipeline along the banks of the Guaire River amid the country's worst-ever power outage, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this March 4, 2019 file photo, National Assembly President Juan Guaidó, an opposition leader who declared himself interim president, waves to supporters from the scaffolding after speaking at a rally demanding the resignation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. A defiant Guaidó returns home to Venezuela and urges supporters at a rally to intensify their campaign to topple the government. AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this March 4, 2019 file photo, National Assembly President Juan Guaidó, an opposition leader who declared himself interim president, waves to supporters from the scaffolding after speaking at a rally demanding the resignation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. A defiant Guaidó returns home to Venezuela and urges supporters at a rally to intensify their campaign to topple the government. AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019 file photo, Colombian police escort a Venezuelan soldier who defected,at the Simon Bolivar international bridge, where Venezuelans tried to deliver humanitarian aid despite objections from President Nicolas Maduro, in Cucuta, Colombia. About 1,000 members of the Venezuelan security forces have fled to Colombia since February, giving up weapons and uniforms as they abandon Maduro's government, said Colmbian authorities on March 18. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019 file photo, Colombian police escort a Venezuelan soldier who defected,at the Simon Bolivar international bridge, where Venezuelans tried to deliver humanitarian aid despite objections from President Nicolas Maduro, in Cucuta, Colombia. About 1,000 members of the Venezuelan security forces have fled to Colombia since February, giving up weapons and uniforms as they abandon Maduro's government, said Colmbian authorities on March 18. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

FILE - This March 21, 2019 file photo shows a bedroom in the home of Venezuelan lawyer Roberto Marrero that was left in disarray by masked security forces, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, March 21, 2019. Marrero, a key aide to opposition leader Juan Guaido, was taken away by intelligence agents in an overnight operation on his home early Thursday. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - This March 21, 2019 file photo shows a bedroom in the home of Venezuelan lawyer Roberto Marrero that was left in disarray by masked security forces, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, March 21, 2019. Marrero, a key aide to opposition leader Juan Guaido, was taken away by intelligence agents in an overnight operation on his home early Thursday. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this March 26, 2019 file photo, Estela Garcia stands inside the grocery shop where she works, during a blackout, in Caracas, Venezuela. A new power outage spreads across much of Venezuela, knocking communications offline. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

FILE - In this March 26, 2019 file photo, Estela Garcia stands inside the grocery shop where she works, during a blackout, in Caracas, Venezuela. A new power outage spreads across much of Venezuela, knocking communications offline. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

FILE - In this April 16, 2019 file photo, people wait to receive free water containers and water purification pills during the first aid shipment from the Red Cross in Caracas, Venezuela. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on March 29th it will start distributing assistance to an estimated 650,000 people in Venezuela - an action permitted by Nicolas Maduro's government. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this April 16, 2019 file photo, people wait to receive free water containers and water purification pills during the first aid shipment from the Red Cross in Caracas, Venezuela. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on March 29th it will start distributing assistance to an estimated 650,000 people in Venezuela - an action permitted by Nicolas Maduro's government. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2019 file photo, Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's socialist party boss and president of the National Constituent Assembly, waves as he arrives to attend a session in Caracas, Venezuela. The specially formed constitutional assembly loyal to Nicolas Maduro stripped opposition leader Juan Guaidó of parliamentary immunity on April 2, paving the way for possible prosecution for allegedly violating the constitution by declaring himself interim president. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2019 file photo, Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's socialist party boss and president of the National Constituent Assembly, waves as he arrives to attend a session in Caracas, Venezuela. The specially formed constitutional assembly loyal to Nicolas Maduro stripped opposition leader Juan Guaidó of parliamentary immunity on April 2, paving the way for possible prosecution for allegedly violating the constitution by declaring himself interim president. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó, center right, flanked by activist Leopoldo López, center left, stands with an unidentified military officer who is helping to lead a military uprising, as they talk to the press and supporters outside La Carlota air base in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Guaidó took to the streets with activist Leopoldo Lopez and a small contingent of heavily armed troops early Tuesday in a bold and risky call for the military to rise up and oust Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed president Juan Guaidó, center right, flanked by activist Leopoldo López, center left, stands with an unidentified military officer who is helping to lead a military uprising, as they talk to the press and supporters outside La Carlota air base in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Guaidó took to the streets with activist Leopoldo Lopez and a small contingent of heavily armed troops early Tuesday in a bold and risky call for the military to rise up and oust Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.