Venezuela was yesterday in a state of anxious expectation as the country braced for the return of Juan Guaidó, the self-declared president locked in a deepening leadership standoff with Nicolas Maduro.

Mr Guaidó has vowed to re-enter the country after slipping out to neighbouring Colombia to lead the attempted passage of aid just over a week ago. In violation of a travel ban, he risks arrest upon his return, a move that could tip the South American nation further into chaos after weeks of deadly unrest.

Likely a make-or-break moment in his bid to oust Mr Maduro, no one knows exactly how or when the 35-year-old politician will attempt to cross the heavily-guarded borders. With Mr Guaidó’s movement entirely absent from the airwaves due to a state media blackout, Venezuelans are reliant on social media for news of the man recognised as the legitimate president by more than 50 countries.

There were reports last night that Mr Guaidó had landed in the Colombian capital, Bogota, from where he could attempt to fly on to Caracas - an airport controlled by the Venezuelan armed forces.

It was on Twitter that Mr Guaidó yesterday called on Venezuelans to launch nationwide protests in support of his arrival. "I'm announcing my return to the country. I am calling on the Venezuelan people to mobilize all over the country tomorrow at 11am," he said. "Let's go Venezuela!"