Thread by @ThomasVLinge

#Venezuela 🇻🇪 BREAKING: the armed forces at LA Carlota airbase in #Caracas appear to have switched sides to @jguaido.

Jailed opposition leader @leopoldolopez has been freed as well!

https://twitter.com/jguaido/status/1123161692219686912

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: @leopoldolopez was arrested in 2014 after leading the first anti-#Maduro uprising.

Today he has been released by soldiers who defected from the regime.

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: livestream of the situation at LA Carlota airbase in #Caracas.

Some pro-#Maduro forces showed up and started firing tear gas at the defected soldiers

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: defected soldiers in the streets around La Carlota Airbase are calling on the people to come out into the streets, shouting "Don't be afraid, freedom has come!". #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: #GNB (national guard) forces are gathering at the perimeter fence of La Carlota airbase this morning.

They're reportedly all defecting towards the opposition.

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: completely calm situation in La Carlota itself. The base appears to be largely empty with soldiers joining the opposition outside on the highway. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: situation at La Carlota appears to he uncertain at the moment.

Airbase is either:
-under opposition control
-still (partly) loyal to #Maduro
-largely abandoned with soldiers picking sides of outside

https://twitter.com/EfectoCocuyo/status/1123192601950265344?s=19

#Venezuela 🇻🇪. defected soldiers at La Carlota airbase in #Caracas appear to be ready for a fight. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: La Carlota is NOT under full opposition control. Regime forces still in control of (part of) the airbase appear to be gathering at the fence as protesters stand outside on the highway. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: protesters marching through the streets of #Altamira (#Caracas) to join @jguaido at La Carlota airbase in what is now being described as the final stage of #OperaciónLibertad. #30Abr

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: large number of #GNB vehicles can be seen moving up the highway in #Caracas this morning.

Unknown whether they are pro-#Maduro or pro-opposition. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-opposition soldiers can be seen arresting pro-regime forces who blocked the main highway in #Caracas. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: unbelievable footage from earlier this morning shows protesters and soldiers at La Carlota taking cover as pro-#Maduro forces fire live ammunition.

via @NTN24ve

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: protesters have reportedly broken into La Carlota airbase through the main gates. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: more footage by @NTN24ve of the gunfire at La Carlota before the masses showed up. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

@NTN24ve #Venezuela 🇻🇪: defected soldiers being received as liberators by the people at La Carlota. #30Abr #OperaciónLibertad

@NTN24ve #Venezuela 🇻🇪: another video of protesters at La Carlota fleeing away from the gunfire of pro-#Maduro forces. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Madurp forces gathering within La Carlota airbase for what will most likely be a counter attack. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: protesters standing at the gates of La Carlota airbase in #Caracas. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: so far clashes at La Carlota appear to be contained to the western side of the Airbase.

I've been to be airbase and especially that side several times, it's a very open area making it easy for military to keep people out and conduct counter attacks.

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: if protesters want to take over the base they need to start attacking from several (less open) sides or storm the open side in very large numbers.

Cause a open area like this is easy to control for a armed force with military vehicles, tear gas and live ammo.

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Maduro forces gathering at the western side of La Carlota airbase. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: soldier who defected from the #Maduro regime this morning proclaiming "I will follow Guaido to death". #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: @jguaido addressing thousands of protesters at Plaza Altamira, just 800 m away from La Carlota airbase in #Caracas. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Maduro forces are leaving La Carlota to conduct a counter attack, some protesters can be seen passing by with their hands in the air (captured?).

@jguaido is now marching from Plaza Altamira with thousands of protesters towards the area

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: lot of gunfire could again be heard at La Carlota as protesters seek cover. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: defected soldiers continue to hold the overpass at La Carlota, protecing protester and returning fire whenever pro-#Maduro forces attack. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Maduro forces have blocked he Fransisco Fajardo highway in #Caracas to prevent any march from taking place on the presidential palace. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

@jguaido via @NTN24ve

@jguaido #Venezuela 🇻🇪: protesters joining @jguaido and @leopoldolopez in singing the Venezuelan national anthem before marching towards La Carlota. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

@jguaido @leopoldolopez #Venezuela 🇻🇪: soldiers at Plaza Altamira in #Caracas hugging their families after defecting from the regime (via @NTN24ve). #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: protesters have breached some holes in the outer fence of La Carlota.

Pro-#Maduro forces conduct constant raids to keep them out. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: #GNB forces in #Bolivar state are leaving the streets, refusing to crack down on anti-#Maduro protesters. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

I made a quick map to roughly show the situation at La Carlota airbase in #Caracas.

Protesters (blue) dominate the blocks to the north and the CCCT mall west of the airbase.

Regime (red) still controls the base except for a small strip at the NW edge which is now a no-mans land

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Maduro forces trying to clear the streets of protesters

https://twitter.com/invenezuelablog/status/1123252185079394314?s=19

#Venezuela 🇻🇪. pro-#Maduro forces were caught on live television trying to run over protesters at La Carlota airbase as they were pushing back the crowd. #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: pro-#Maduro forces have pushed protesters away from La Carlota airbase, now possible planning to raid the pro-opposition neighborhoods of Chacao and Altamira in #Caracas

https://twitter.com/invenezuelablog/status/1123263966258573312?s=19

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: thousands of Venezuelans are now marching through the streets of #Caracas against #Maduro.

The day is not over yet.

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: thousands of protesters in #Caracas are now marching west, accompanied by defected soldiers they will try to reach Miraflores (presidential palace). #30Abr #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: it is #1May and across the country people are gathering for mass protests against the #Maduro regime.

Several thousand have already come together in the capital #Caracas (via @NTN24ve). #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: massive crowd has gathered in Altamira (#Caracas). #1May #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: the capital #Caracas on the second day of #OperacionLibertad, the streets are packed but largely peaceful so far. #1May

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: the people of #Apure state calling for the downfall of #Maduro as they participate in #OperacionLibertad. #1May

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: Venezuelan protesters running through the streets of #Caracas as they're being chases by pro-#Maduro forces. #1May #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: scenes of clashes in Altamira district of #Caracas, #GNB forces violently kicked and beated a protester they captured. #1May #OperacionLibertad

#Venezuela 🇻🇪: for the second day clashes erupted at La Carlota airbase in #Caracas, once agains protesters managed to break in but go beyond the treeline (via @AFP). #1May #OperacionLibertad

@AFP #Venezuela 🇻🇪: tear gas fills the streets of #Barquisimeto as protesters clash with the regime. #1May #OperacionLibertad