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Opposition marches beginning in Caracas to mark 5th anniversary of 2014 guarimbas and call for US “humanitarian aid.” Crowd heading to affluent Chacao. Sizable but no sense of how large yet. 
Guaidó gear flying off the racks
NGO’s at the opposition march in Chacao, spoke to two directors who emphasized training of Caracas barrio residents for “non-violent transition,” and importance of ideas of Gene Sharp. That hand symbol was inspired by US-backed Otpor-CANVAS group that trained Guaidó & his cadre.
The entire opposition rally was based around a call for US “humanitarian aid.” When Guaidó spoke, images of USAID in action flashed on the big screen behind him. No one I spoke to could conceptualize the aid as a pretext for wider intervention.
This rally was clearly designed for external consumption; to create the impression in the eyes of the West of mass consensus for USAID intervention and whatever escalation follows. Ironically, it was comprised of the wealthiest, most well-fed Venezuelans, a sea of lighter skin.
Hearing Juan Guaidó in person was remarkable. After a massive ovation, he spoke haltingly, barely projecting his voice, with only a few applause lines and all the charisma of a filing cabinet. It was up to more veteran opposition leaders to whip up the crowd.
