<span style="color: #222222;">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a direct appeal to the Venezuelan people today and urged them to drive President Nicolas Maduro from power. Pompeo released the video message after Maduro urged his troops to be ready for potential US military action.<br />''<br />'' President Maduro's speech at a military base came as opposition leader Juan Guaido rallied his supporters in a new day of protests to press the armed forces to support his bid to dislodge Maduro. In the video message, Mike Pompeo asserted that United States stands firmly with the people of Venezuela. </span><br />''  <br />