Opposition leader Henrique Capriles has openly called on Venezuela's military to choose between the constitution and President Nicolas Maduro, ratcheting up a showdown as the economy in the oil-rich country is imploding.

Opponents to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in front of a line of riot police in Caracas on May 11, 2016. Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images

The BBC reported Wednesday that Capriles accused Maduro of "putting himself above the constitution" by imposing emergency powers. "I tell the armed forces: The hour of truth is coming, to decide whether you are with the constitution or with Maduro," Capriles said. Maduro last week declared a 60-day state of emergency that gives the military greater powers, ostensibly so it can deal with the country's spiraling economic crisis. The National Assembly, which is led by Venezuela's political opposition, voted late Tuesday to reject Maduro's decree.

Maduro responded by saying he would ignore the Assembly's decision. He said the Assembly had lost is "political validity," and he predicted its disappearance, according to the BBC's account.

Maduro regularly characterizes his opponents as fascists, insisting that they operate under the influence of the United States government and shadowy international media.