Maduro and Guaido jockey for control of Venezuela’s military

Bloomberg

The prize is Venezuela’s military. And both sides of the deepening crisis are working to win it.
Activists backing National Assembly leader Juan Guaido walked the streets of Caracas, passing out copies of a measure that promises amnesty against corruption or abuse allegations to any member who defects. Some in uniform seemed willing to receive the documents; others burned theirs.
Meanwhile, at a fort east of the capital, the embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, watched as tanks fired round after round into a dusty valley. The show of force was clearly designed to deliver the message that the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, the ultimate power brokers in Venezuela, are still on his side.
“They want our armed forces to throw a coup,” Maduro told the troops in remarks broadcast on state television. “Well, we’re going to prepare our weapons so no one dares to think of touching our sacred land.” He dramatically stood his ground. “Traitors never,” he said. “Loyal always.”
The battle for control of the military is crucial to the outcome of this power struggle. But so, too, is the scramble for ownership of the crisis-torn country’s few remaining hard assets overseas.