How Washington's Devastating "Economic Blockade" of Venezuela Helped Pave the Way for Coup Attempt

Venezuela remains in a state of crisis as opposition forces-with the backing of the United States-attempt to unseat the government of Nicolis Maduro. On Thursday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the military continues to stand by Maduro. His remarks came one day after President Trump announced that the U.S. would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's new leader. Guaido, the new head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president on Wednesday during a large opposition protest. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolis Maduro has ordered the U.S. to remove all of its diplomats from Venezuela, but Washington is ignoring the request, claiming Maduro no longer has authority to take such action. We speak to two long-term observers of Venezuelan politics: Venezuelan-born NYU professor Alejandro Velasco and Steve Ellner, who lives in Venezuela, where he taught for several decades.