Germany calls for political solution in Venezuela

By Ayhan Simsek </p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – Germany on Tuesday warned against an armed conflict in Venezuela and called on parties to take political steps to pave the way for a peaceful solution.</p> <p>“We do not think violence offers a way forward. We need a political, not a military solution,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a Twitter post. </p> <p>He reaffirmed Germany’ support for opposition leader Juan Guaido to start a political process leading to free and fair elections in country.</p> <p>His remarks came amid growing tensions in Venezuela after reports of a coup attempt against President Nicolas Maduro.</p> <p>Earlier, opposition leader Juan Guaido released a video on Twitter in which he was seen alongside soldiers, calling for uprising to end the &quot;usurpation&quot; of President Maduro.</p> <p>Maduro, for his part, called on people to take to the streets &quot;to protect the homeland and constitutional order”. </p> <p>Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition. </p> <p>Tensions escalated when Guaido, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.