Timeline of the 2019 Venezuelan protests explained

The 2019 Venezuelan protests began in the first days of January as a result of the Venezuelan presidential crisis. Protests against the legitimacy of the Nicolás Maduro's presidency began at the time of his second inauguration following a controversial presidential election in 2018. Rallies of support were also held for President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, with some Venezuelans and foreign government's recognizing him as the acting President of Venezuela.

January

• 10 January – Nicolás Maduro is inaugurated for his second presidential term by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.^[1]
• 11 January – The first open cabildo, a rally in the streets of Caracas, is held by National Assembly president Juan Guaidó, with many gathered there protesting against the failures of the Bolivarian government of Nicolás Maduro.^[2] The National Assembly declares that Guaidó is the acting President of Venezuela under the constitution^[3] and Guaidó calls more mass demonstrations on 23 January 2019, the 61st anniversary of the 1958 Venezuelan coup d'état.^[4] Maduro responded by calling the opposition a group of "little boys" while prison minister Iris Varela stated that she had begun to prepare prison cells for the opposition.^[5]
• 13 January – Guaidó is detained by the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN),^[6] but is released 45 minutes later.^[7] Two journalists were also detained on-air while covering SEBIN's actions towards Guaidó: Beatriz Adrián of Caracol Televisión and Osmary Hernández of CNN.^[8] The twelve SEBIN officials involved were imprisoned days later.^[9]
• 15 January – Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López declares loyalty to Maduro, stating that he would give his life for him.^[10] In Valencia, Carabobo thousands of residents participate in open cabildos filling Plaza Prebo and its surrounding streets.^[11]
• 17 January – A group of Venezuelan ex-army and police officers in Peru announced their support for Guaidó, saying that they do not recognise Maduro as their president or leader.^{[12] [13]}
• 18 January – Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Carabobo to support Guaidó at open cabildo rallies in Valencia and other cities throughout the state.^[14]
• 19 January – Across 12 states, thousands of Venezuelans demonstrate in support of Guaidó calling for a "transitional government", with some Maduro loyalists attempting to assault attendees with sticks and machetes in areas such as Petare, Maracay and Zulia.^{[15] [16]}
• 21 January – In San José de Cotiza, north of Caracas, over two dozen National Guardsmen participate in a mutiny against Maduro with the assistance of residents in the area during the early morning hours and are later captured by Venezuelan authorities.^[17] During the night, over thirty communities in Caracas and surrounding areas participated in strong protests against the Maduro government.^[18] The strongest protests occurred in San José de Cotiza, where the rebel National Guardsmen were arrested, with demonstrations spreading throughout nearby communities, with cacerolazos heard throughout Caracas. One woman who was confused for a protester was killed in San José de Cotiza by members of a colectivo, who stole her phone.^[19]
• 22 January – Protests throughout Caracas from the previous evening continue into the morning, resulting in the National Guard and National Police being deployed, with reports of tear gas being fired into streets and residential facilities.^[20]
• 23 January — A 16-year-old boy, Alixon Pizani, is killed^[21] a statue of Chávez is set on fire,^[22] and three people are killed in Bolívar^[23] in separate overnight protests, leading into the day of national protest.
• 24 January — Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López states to the Venezuelan public that a coup is in progress and thanked governments supporting Maduro for "promoting a dialogue, a constitutional solution".^[24] Cacerolazos continue throughout Caracas and authorities loyal to Maduro search homes to arrest protesters.^[25]
• 25 January — As protests continue, Guaidó calls for a continuous protest, also encouraging the people to keep up the fight if he gets arrested.^[26]
• 26 January – Venezuelan military diplomat in Washington DC, Colonel Jose Luis Silva defected from Maduro government and urge his fellow FANB to recognize Guaidó presidency.^[27]
• 29 January – US Secretary of State transfers control of Venezuelan Government assets to acting president Juán Guaidó.^[28] Soon afterwards, Venezuelan Supreme Court barred Guaidó from leaving the country and froze his bank accounts.^[29]
• 30 January – Thousands attend pro-Maduro government rally in Falcon state in the northern part of the country.^[30]
• 31 January – Self-declared Venezuelan acting president Juan Guaidó is supposed to be in secret talks with the country's military as he attempts to force Nicolas Maduro from power.^[31]

February

• 1 February – Amid rumors that Venezuela is selling gold to UAE, Guaido is said he would defy a government ban on humanitarian aid by sending large convoys of medicine into Venezuela with the assistance of neighboring nations. Overtures would have been made to Russia and China arguing that the two countries’ interests would be best served by switching the side they back in Venezuela.^[32]

• 2 February - Opposition protesters filled the in Caracas.^[33] A rally was also held in support of the Venezuelan government. The rally was held on the 20-year anniversary of Hugo Chávez's first inauguration.^[34] A general from the Venezuelan Air Force, General Francisco Esteban Yanez Rodriguez defected from the government and announced his support to Guaidó presidency.^[35] Plans by Venezuelan officials to ship 20 tons of gold have reportedly been halted due to international pressure. The blocking of the shipment comes a week after the Bank of England denied Maduro's request to withdraw US$1.2 billion of gold stored there.^[36]
• 4 February – Seven countries of European Union decided to recognize Guaidó after Maduro rejected the 8 days ultimatum.^[37]
• 5 February – The Lima Group urged the Venezuelan military to support opposition leader Juan Guaidó as acting president.^[38] while Pope Francis said that he is willing to mediate between Venezuela's rival presidents Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido, but only if both sides request his help.^[39]
• 7 February – Venezuela's armed forces have barricaded a bridge on the country's western border with Colombia, in an attempt to prevent a delivery of humanitarian aid.^[40]
• 10 February – Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó has vowed to open humanitarian aid routes with volunteer support into the country in defiance of the government the following week.^[41]
• 11 February – Groups of motorcyclists belonging to colectivos drive past the Embassy of the United States, Caracas in an apparent demonstration.^[42]
• 12 February – Opposition launched another protest demanding entry of humanitarian aid.^[43]
• 13 February – Acting President Juan Guaidó appoints new board of PDVSA subsidiary in United States, Citgo.^[44]
• 20 February – Deputy U.N. military attache, Colonel Pedro Chirinos became the latest military personnel to defect from the government.^[45]
• 21 February – Acting President Juan Guaidó leads a caravan to the Colombian border city of Cúcuta along with other deputies.^[46] Hugo Carvajal, former head of DGCIM announced his defection from the government.^[47]
• 23 February – Thousands of protesters in Caracas demonstrate near the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base.^[48] Four GNB troops including the sergeant defected to Colombia by crossing the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, they were welcomed by Colombian authorities.^[49] Colectivos killed four and injure twenty-four during border conflicts in Santa Elena de Uairén.^[50] On the Brazilian border, a Venezuelan Army guard post was attacked with molotov cocktails and stones.^[51] At least 285 people were injured and 4 reported dead as a result of the clashes.^[52] Maduro severs relations with Colombia and expels its diplomats from Venezuela.^[53]
• 25 February – Colombian authorities confirmed 270 Venezuelan troops defected to Colombia in another wave of defection .^[54]
• 28 February – About 400 Venezuelan troops had defected to neighbor countries.^[55]

March

See main article: 2019 Venezuelan blackouts.

• 4 March – Acting President Juan Guaidó arrived in Simón Bolívar International Airport, Maiquetía welcomed by diplomats from allied nations
• 7 March – First nationwide blackout.^[56]
• 9 March – Large protest in Caracas against the government for the lack of water and electricity.^[57]
• 14 March – Most regions recover from blackout.
• 18 March – Army general Carlos Rotondaro, who had been under sanctions by the United States since 2018, defected to Colombia and recognized Guaidó as Venezuela's president.^[58]
• 21 March – Roberto Marrero, Guaidó's chief of staff, is detained.^[59]
• 25 March – Second wave of blackouts starts.^[60]
• 30-31 March – Large protests in several regions against government for lack of water and electricity.^{[61] [62]}

April

• 6 April – Large nationwide protest called by Guaidó and part of Operation Freedom to oust Maduro from power. Tens of thousands of persons participated. Maracaibo protest were repressed by tear gas and rubber bullets.^[63]
• 16 April – The first shipment of humanitarian aid of the Red Cross arrives in Venezuela.^[64]
• 26 April – National Assembly member Gilber Caro is detained, violating his parliamentary immunity.^[65]
• 30 April – Venezuelan uprising and clashes. Guaidó and armed forces personnel loyal to him release Leopoldo López from house arrest.^[66]

May

• 1 May – Thousands of supporters showed up for demonstrations on 1 May for Guaidó.^[67]
• 2 May – From 30 April to this date, there were 230 wounded in the protests, 205 arrests,^[68] and four dead.
• 8 May – National Assembly vice president Edgar Zambrano is arrested.^[69]

June–July

• 19–22 June – OHCHR chief, Michelle Bachelet visits Venezuela. Protests broke out in front of the United Nations office in Caracas on 22 June.^[70]
• 2 July – Attack of Rufo Chacón^{[71] [72]}
• 5 July – Thousands join pro-Guaidó rally on Caracas to challenge Maduro Fifth of July parade after the death of Rafael Acosta Arévalo, tortured during detention.^[73]

November

• 16 November – Guaidó calls for the return of national protests. The pacific rallies gathered about a thousands of his supporters in Caracas and in Maracaibo. A counter-protest organized by Nicolás Maduro administration marched in solidarity to Evo Morales for the events of the 2019 Bolivian political crisis.^[74]

Notes and References

1. News: Venezuela Is in Crisis. So How Did Maduro Secure a Second Term?. The New York Times. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. Herrero. Ana Vanessa. Specia. Megan.
2. Web site: Juan Guaidó: Me apego a los artículos 333, 350 y 233 para lograr el cese de la usurpación y convocar elecciones libres con la unión del pueblo, FAN y comunidad internacional. 11 January 2019.
3. Web site: Prensa de la AN rectifica comunicado que proclama a Juan Guaidó Presidente de la República. Efecto Cocuyo. 12 January 2019. 12 January 2019.
4. News: Venezuela: opposition leader declares himself ready to assume presidency. Phillips. Tom. 11 January 2019. The Guardian. 12 January 2019. en-GB. 0261-3077. https://web.archive.org/web/20190113100401/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/11/venezuela-maduro-juan-guaido-assume-presidency. 13 January 2019. live.
5. Web site: Venezuela congress leader challenges Maduro's right to presidency. Al Jazeera. 12 January 2019.
6. Web site: Alejandro Baena, candidato liberal a la alcaldía de Cali. Semana. Alejandro Baena, candidato liberal a la alcaldía de Cali. 3 August 2003.
7. News: Venezuela's opposition is gambling it all on a young and untested activist named Juan Guaidó. The Washington Post. en. 15 January 2019.
8. News: Venezuela: Periodistas son detenidas en plena transmisión en vivo por el Sebin [Video]]. 13 January 2019. El Comercio. es. 15 January 2019.
9. News: Venezuela: 12 charged in detention of opposition leader. The Washington Post. 16 January 2018. 17 January 2018.
10. Web site: Padrino López dice estar dispuesto a morir por Maduro y la Constitución. 15 January 2019. La Patilla. es-ES. 16 January 2019.
11. Web site: Multitudinario fue el Cabildo Abierto en Valencia este #16Ene (Fotos y Videos). 2019-01-16. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-01-22.
12. Web site: Venezuelan army forces in Peru say they don't recognize Maduro as their President. Miami Herald. 18 January 2019.
13. Web site: Militares venezolanos en Perú desconocen a Maduro como presidente y apoyan a Guaidó. 17 January 2019. America TV. 2019-01-18.
14. Web site: A casa llena se celebraron este viernes los seis cabildos abiertos en Carabobo. 2019-01-19. El Carabobeño. es-ES. 2019-01-21.
15. Web site: Miles de venezolanos claman "gobierno de transición" en cabildos abiertos en todo el país. 2019-01-20. Noticiero 52. es-ES. 2019-01-21.
16. Web site: Colectivos chavistas disolvieron "con palos y machetes" un cabildo abierto en Zulia. 2019-01-18. El Cooperante. es-ES. 2019-01-22.
17. News: Venezuela claims it has foiled attempted military uprising. Phillips. Tom. 2019-01-22. The Guardian. 2019-01-22. en-GB. 0261-3077.
18. Web site: Seguid el ejemplo que Caracas dio: Confirman protestas nocturnas contra Maduro en 30 comunidades capitalinas. 2019-01-22. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-01-22.
19. Web site: Mujer fue asesinada en la puerta de su casa por un colectivo en Cotiza. 2019-01-21. El Nacional. es. 2019-01-22.
20. Web site: Protestas contra Maduro se extendieron hasta madrugada en varias zonas de Caracas. 2019-01-22. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-01-22.
21. Web site: Venezuela: la oposición informa sobre un joven muerto en las protestas contra Maduro. La Voz de Interior Argentina. es. 23 January 2019. 5 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705170358/https://www.lavoz.com.ar/mundo/venezuela-oposicion-informa-sobre-un-joven-muerto-en-protestas-contra-maduro%26usg%3DAOvVaw1H97NIygFYC4yRxu85bpJe. dead.
22. News: Opposition launches protests to oust Maduro as U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise. The Washington Post. 23 January 2019.
23. News: Four dead in clashes ahead of Venezuela protests: Police, NGO. Business Standard India. 23 January 2019. 23 January 2019.
24. Web site: Padrino López alerta al pueblo de Venezuela "que se está llevando a cabo un golpe de Estado". 2019-01-24. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-01-24.
25. Web site: Cacerolazos y detonaciones en Petare, El Junquito y otras zonas de Caracas la noche del #24Ene. 2019-01-25. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-01-25.
26. Web site: The Latest: Venezuela challenger urges continued protests. AP via Yahoo News. 25 January 2019.
27. News: Venezuela crisis: Diplomat to US defects from Maduro. BBC News. 27 January 2019. 27 January 2019.
28. Web site: Protecting Venezuela's Assets for Benefit of Venezuelan People. State.gov. 31 January 2019.
29. Web site: Guaido to police: Don't cross red line with my family. philly.com. 31 January 2019. 31 January 2019.
30. Web site: Thousands attend pro-Maduro rally in northern Venezuela . . 2019-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210314190223/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/thousands-attend-pro-maduro-rally-in-northern-venezuela/ . 2021-03-14 . dead.
31. Web site: VENEZUELA MILITARY HAVING SECRET MEETINGS WITH OPPOSITION AS PRESSURE ON MADURO BUILDS. newsweek.com. 31 January 2019. 31 January 2019.
32. Web site: Venezuela's Maduro to sell gold reserves to prop up regime. nypost.com. February 2019. 1 February 2019.
33. News: Guaidó exhibe músculo en la calle con una multitudinaria manifestación en Caracas. 2 February 2019. Europapress. 3 February 2019. es.
34. Web site: Massive rallies for Maduro held in Venezuela, ignored by war-mongering corporate media | Liberation News .
35. News: Venezuelan general deserts Nicolas Maduro in highest ranking military defection to hit regime. The Telegraph. 2 February 2019. 2 February 2019. Strange. Hannah.
36. Web site: Plan to pull nearly $1B in gold out of Venezuela reportedly halted. foxnews.com. 2 February 2019 . 2 February 2019.
37. Web site: Venezuela's Maduro rejects ultimatum from EU countries to call elections. Deutsche Welle. 4 February 2019.
38. News: Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó backed by Lima Group. BBC News . 5 February 2019 . 5 February 2019.
39. Web site: Pope offers to mediate in Venezuelan crisis if both sides ask for his help. telegraph.co.uk. 5 February 2019.
40. Web site: Venezuela crisis: US condemns Maduro for blocking critical point of entry for humanitarian aid. cnbc.com. 7 February 2019 . 7 February 2019.
41. News: Venezuela crisis: Guaido vows to open aid routes with volunteers. BBC News . 10 February 2019 . 10 February 2019.
42. Web site: Colectivos chavistas intentaron amedrentar en los alrededores de la embajada de EEUU (Videos). 2019-02-11. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-02-12.
43. Web site: 'Venezuela doesn't want you': Protesters intensify mutiny against Maduro . . 12 February 2019 .
44. Web site: Venezuelan opposition appoints new board to Houston refiner Citgo, PDVSA. Houston Chronicles. 13 February 2019 . 14 February 2019.
45. News: Venezuela's deputy U.N. military attache backs Guaido. Reuters. 21 February 2019.
46. Web site: Venezuela: Juan Guaidó Heads to Colombia for Humanitarian Aid Fortune.
47. Web site: Hugo Carvajal reconoce a Guaidó como presidente y llama a la Fanb a desconocer a Maduro. Efecto Cocuyo. 21 February 2019 . 22 February 2019.
48. Web site: Venezuela's Guaido says "all options open" after Maduro blocks aid. Polanco. Anggy. Armas. Mayela. 24 February 2019. Thomson Reuters Foundation. 24 February 2019. Bocanegra. Nelson.
49. News: - The Washington Post. The Washington Post.
50. Web site: Aumentan a cuatro fallecidos y 24 heridos, todos por armas de fuego, en Santa Elena de Uairén. 2019-02-23. La Patilla. es-ES. 2019-02-23.
51. Web site: Base venezuela é atacada na fronteira com o Brasil; atos, discursos e mortes marcam o Dia D de ajuda humanitária. 2019-02-23. g1.globo.com. PT-br. 2019-02-23.
52. Web site: Quatro mortos e 285 feridos em confrontos junto à fronteira da Venezuela. 2019-02-23. cmjornal.pt. PT-PT. 2019-02-23.
53. Web site: Venezuela crisis: Maduro EXPELS Colombia diplomats as leader breaks ties across border. Express.co.uk. 23 February 2019 . 23 February 2019.
54. 1100226640477593601. AFPespanol.
    1. ÚLTIMAHORA Son 270 los desertores de las fuerzas armadas venezolanas que han llegado a Colombia (autoridad migrato…
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55. Web site: Venezuela military defector: I'll keep fighting for our freedom. aljazeera.com. 2019-03-02.
56. News: Venezuela: power returns after blackout but normal service may be a long way off. 14 March 2016. The Guardian. 17 March 2019.
57. News: Anti-Maduro demonstrators jam Venezuelan streets despite blackouts. Sheridan. Mary Beth. 9 March 2019. The Washington Post. 14 March 2019.
58. News: Oatis . Jonathan . Adler . Leslie . U.S.-sanctioned Venezuelan defects to Colombia, slams Maduro . 19 March 2019 . Reuters . 18 March 2019.
59. News: Venezuela intelligence police detain top opposition aide; Arrest threatens to raise tensions and provoke U.S. punitive measures. Vyas, Kejal. 21 March 2019. Wall Street Journal. ProQuest.
60. News: 'No more hope': fresh blackout leaves half of Venezuela without power. Phillips, Tom. 25 March 2019. The Guardian. 25 March 2019.
61. News: Venezuelans rally to protest chronic power outages. Deisy Buitrago. 31 March 2019. Reuters. 31 March 2019. Shaylim Valderrama.
62. News: Venezuela's Guaido pledges more protests over power, water shortages. Valderrama, Shaylim. 1 April 2019. Reuters. 1 April 2019.
63. News: Venezuelans rally to demand power, water and end to Maduro. Vivian Sequera. 6 April 2019. Reuters. 7 April 2019. Deisy Buitrago.
64. News: First shipment of Red Cross humanitarian aid arrives in Venezuela. Reuters . 16 April 2019 . 16 April 2019 .
65. News: Venezuela's opposition-run congress says lawmaker detained, violating immunity. 26 April 2019. Reuters. 27 April 2019.
66. Web site: Clashes rock Venezuela as Guaido, Maduro vie for power. Scott Smith. Christopher Torchia. Associated Press. 1 May 2019. 15 May 2019.
67. News: After uprising falls short, Venezuela's opposition tries to regain momentum against the government. Zuñiga. Mariana. 2 May 2019. The Washington Post. 2 May 2019.
68. Web site: Venezuelan rights group says 4 dead in clashes amid opposition call for uprising . 2 May 2019 . . 2 May 2019 .
69. News: Ally of Venezuelan opposition leader is detained, Guaidó Says . New York Times . 8 May 2019 . 8 May 2019 . Kurmanaev, Anatoly.
70. News: Protests Erupt in Caracas During Venezuela Visit by UN's Bachelet. Laya. Patricia. 20 June 2019. Bloomberg. 22 June 2019.
71. News: Venezuelan teen blinded by police rubber bullets at protest. Polanco. Anggy. 3 July 2019. Reuters. 6 July 2019.
72. News: Youth blinded by police firing on Venezuelan fuel protesters. Gibbs. Stephen. 4 July 2019. The Times. 6 July 2019.
73. Web site: Maduro shows military might in Independence Day celebration. Smith. Scott. 5 July 2019. Associated Press. 6 July 2019.
74. Web site: Venezuela's Guaidó leads thousands in anti-Maduro protest. Smith. Scott. 16 November 2019. Associated Press. 17 November 2019.