Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called on supporters to keep protesting on Wednesday, insisting that the military is on his side, after a day of rallies failed to produce the coveted ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.

"Today we started the final stage of Operation Freedom. And tomorrow we will continue, with more spirit than ever," Guaido said on Tuesday evening, in a video message posted to his social media accounts.

"We knew that the start was not going to be easy, but we showed that there are soldiers willing to defend the constitution and many more remain," the US-backed self-proclaimed 'interim president' added, refusing to acknowledge that Venezuelan officers, for the large part, had remained loyal to Maduro throughout the day of violent street protests.

Mañana continuamos con la ejecución de la #OperaciónLibertad. Iniciamos la fase final y estaremos de forma sostenida en las calles hasta lograr el cese de la usurpación. ¡Vamos con todo, con más fuerza y determinación!#ConTodoPaLaCallehttps://t.co/ep1vC824j6 — Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) May 1, 2019

Tuesday saw the pro-Guaido crowd rallying in Caracas and marching towards the presidential palace, along with a small number of people dressed in military uniform. Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro, meanwhile, gathered for a rally outside the presidential palace, expressing their support for the government.

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