Guaido says Maduro government is too afraid to arrest him

Juan Guaido says he remains a free man because the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro is afraid of the consequences of arresting him. "Because they're scared. Those that try to spread or generate a perception of control are the ones that don't have it," Guaido said in an interview with CNN. His comments came just hours before one of his closest allies was arrested by security forces with Venezuela's intelligence agency, known by the Spanish acronym, SEBIN. Edgar Zambrano was detained outside of his Democratic Action Party headquarters Wednesday evening, according to pro-government and opposition leaders in Venezuela.

"We have offered amnesty, perhaps not enough. We have to insist. Now there is a fundamental element -- the armed forces --they will have an important role not only in the transition but the reconstruction of Venezuela," he said.

Asked if US military intervention was still an option, Guaido indicated it would be one of the final options and clarified that military action did not have to come from the United States. "And this is the option of force -- it doesn't have to be foreign, it doesn't have to be international. The military is very unhappy and that is the option of force, it could be local," he said. Guaido says he remains in close touch with the Trump administration and was in contact with US officials earlier this week. He acknowledged that his supporters are exhausted and terrified as the Maduro government has sought to intimidate protestors. A weekend protest drew hundreds of protestors, far less than anticipated. Guaido would not elaborate on his next moves or offer a time line on what happens next for him and his supporters.