
President Nicolas Maduro was ready to flee Venezuela as an uprising against his regime was called until Russia intervened and told him to stay, it was claimed last night as the head of the nation's secret police turned on the embattled leader.

American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the besieged president had a plane waiting to take him to Cuba but Vladimir Putin's administration convinced him to stay in Venezuela.

Despite the Kremlin's intervention, Manuel Ricardo Cristopher Figuera, the head of Venezuela's secret police SEBIN, said 'the time has come to seek new ways of doing politics' - the most direct challenge so far to Maduro's leadership from a senior member of the security forces.

Figuera's note emerged after Pompeo told CNN Maduro was prepared to leave the country on Tuesday morning in the face of a call for an uprising by opposition leader Juan Guaido, but reversed his plan after the intervention of the Kremlin.

He said: 'They had an airplane on the tarmac. He was ready to leave this morning, as we understand it. Russians indicated he should stay. He was headed for Havana.'

As pressure mounted on Maduro and violent clashes erupted on the streets, Vice President Mike Pence voiced the Trump administration's support for the opposition in both English and Spanish, by tweeting: 'We are with you.'

Heavy gunfire crackled through the Venezuelan capital on Tuesday after Guaido called for the military to turn on Maduro and oust the president.

As running battles between anti-government demonstrators and pro-regime troops continued across the capital, video footage emerged showing Maduro's National Guard running over crowds of protesters during violent clashes.

Armoured vehicles operated by soldiers loyal to the embattled president were seen ploughing into demonstrators in front of La Carlota base in Caracas.

The moment an anti-government demonstrator was struck by a National Guard armoured vehicle was captured in footage posted online

The opposition demonstrator was struck by a Venezuelan National Guard vehicle on a highway near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase 'La Carlota' in Caracas

Video footage captured the moment the armoured vehicle mounted the central reservation of the highway outside La Carlota air base in Caracas

Crowds swarmed around the National Guard armoured vehicles after one mowed down a group of protesters

An opposition demonstrator standing in front of at an armoured vehicle in flames during clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after troops joined opposition leader Juan Guaido

An anti-government protester walking near a bus that was set on fire by opponents of Venezuela's President Maduro during clashes between rebel and loyalist soldiers in Caracas

An opposition demonstrator lying in the road injured when Venezuelan security forces used an armoured vehicle to ram demonstrators during clashes outside the La Carlota military base

An opposition demonstrator walking near a bus in flames during clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

An opposition demonstrator with chest wounds from government bullets holds a rock as a bus burns in the background near La Carlota in Caracas

In the clip posted online a group of protesters could be seen throwing missiles at a white armoured vehicle. As they launch the assault as second tank emerged from the left and mounted the central reservation of the highway, mowing down a number of people.

One person could be seen falling under the wheels as both vehicles drove off, leaving crowds to swarm around the injured person.

As governments around the world voiced their concern over the violence, SEBIN leader Figuera wrote a letter to the Venezuelan people on Tuesday saying it is time to 'rebuild the country'. A senior U.S. official confirmed the authenticity of the note circulating on social media.

Venezuela crisis: Which countries are supporting the opposition? Support for Nicolas Maduro's regime comes from Russia, China, Turkey, Mexico and Iran, wheres the EU, United States, Canada, Australia and neighbours Brazil recognise Juan Guaido as leader of Venezuela Supporting 'interim' President Juan Guaido: United States

Canada

United Kingdom

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Honduras

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Kosovo

The EU 27

Australia Supporting incumbent President Nicolas Maduro: Russia

Belarus

Greece

China

Iran

Cuba

Mexico

Turkey

Syria

Bolivia

Uruguay Advertisement

Figuera says he has always been loyal to Maduro, but Venezuela has experienced a damaging decline. Though he does not name opposition leader Juan Guaido, Figuera wrote: 'The time has come to seek new ways of doing politics.'

Guaido claimed Maduro had lost the support of the military, but the president said he had spoken with his officers who had assured him of their 'total loyalty'.

The opposition leader urged protesters and members of the military to join what he called the 'final phase of Operation Liberty' in a video taken at La Carlota airbase in the capital Caracas while surrounded by heavily-armed soldiers.

The troops then set up defensive positions around the base before Maduro's forces arrived and opened fire with teargas followed by live rounds, according to witnesses.

At least 69 people were injured in Caracas, two from gunfire, during clashes between demonstrators and security forces, Venezuela's health services said.

Local press said a third person suffered a gunshot wound while the government claimed a soldier was hit by a bullet during the clashes.

Anti-government demonstrators clashed with troops loyal to Maduro at the air base in the capital hours after opposition leader Guaido took to the streets in a bold and risky attempt to lead a military uprising against the embattled socialist.

'Nerves of steel!,' Maduro said on Twitter. 'I call for maximum popular mobilisation to assure the victory of peace. We will win!'

Several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at the rally outside the air base in Caracas early on Tuesday morning.

The early-morning rebellion seems to have only limited military support, but it was by far the most-serious challenge yet to Maduro's rule since Guaido, with the backing of the U.S. and dozens of other countries, declared himself the country's interim president in January in rejection of a government he accused of stealing last year's presidential election.

The dramatic events began early Tuesday when Guaido, flanked by a few dozen national guardsmen and some armoured crowd control vehicles, released a three-minute video filmed near a Caracas air base in which he called on civilians and others in the armed forces to join a final push to topple Maduro.

In a surprise, standing alongside him was Leopoldo Lopez, his political mentor and the nation's most-prominent opposition activist, who has largely been silent and unseen since he was detained in 2014 for leading a previous round of anti-government unrest. Lopez said he had been released from house arrest by security forces adhering to an order from Guaido.

'I want to tell the Venezuelan people: This is the moment to take to the streets and accompany these patriotic soldiers,' Lopez declared.

As the two allies coordinated actions from vehicles parked on a highway overpass, troops loyal to Maduro sporadically fired tear gas from inside the adjacent Carlota air base.

A Bolivarian National Guard loyal to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro fires tear gas from inside La Carlota air base toward a crowd of a few hundred civilians and a small group of rebel soldiers gathered outside the base

Venezuelan National Guard troops loyal to President Maduro use a water cannon on supporters Juan Guaido

Members of the Bolivarian National Guard supporting Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido reload their weapons during clashes on Tuesday

Opponents to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro confront loyalist Bolivarian National Guard troops firing tear gas at them outside La Carlota military airbase in Caracas

Opposition demonstrators face military vehicles near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

An opposition demonstrator bleeds from his head as he is carried by fellow protesters after being run over by a Venezuelan National Guard vehicle on a street near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase 'La Carlota' in Caracas

An injured man is helped during a demonstration in Caracas. Reports state that at least one person was injured during the clashes at La Carlota after Guaido called for mass anti-government protests backed by the military

The protester could be seen falling under the wheels and being run over by the GNB vehicle which then drove off and left the scene as demonstrators flocked around him

A crowd that quickly swelled to a few thousand scurried for cover, reassembling later with Guaido to a nearby plaza.

A smaller group of masked youths stayed behind on the highway, firing rocks and Molotov cocktails in an attempt to storm the air base. Amid the mayhem, an armoured utility vehicle drove at full speed into the crowd. It was unclear if anyone was hurt.

'It's now or never,' said one of the young rebellious soldiers, his face covered in the blue bandanna worn by the few dozen soldiers joining the 'Operation Freedom' insurrection.

Amid the confusion Maduro tried to project an image of strength, saying he had spoken to several regional military commanders who reaffirmed their loyalty to his socialist revolution.

The events, playing out in the opposition's stronghold in wealthier neighbourhood of eastern Caracas, appeared not to have triggered a broader military revolt.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido calls for an uprising against Nicolas Maduro as supporters take to the streets

Mike Pompeo said Maduro was ready to flee Venezuela until Russia convinced him to remain in the country

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denied there was a military coup attempt underway to oust President Maduro

He accused opposition leader Guaido and 'right-wing extremists' of operating under orders from Washington

National Guard armoured vehicle ploughs into a crowd of protesters outside the La Carlota airbase in Caracas

National Security Adviser John Bolton said it was not a coup as many countries recognise Guaido as president

Flanked by top military commanders, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez appeared on national television and condemned Guaido's move to seize power as a 'terrorist' act that was bound to fail.

President Donald Trump and top officials gave their support of Venezuela's opposition movement, dubbed Operacion Libertad, which translates to Operation Freedom.

He wrote on Twitter: 'I am monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely. The United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!'

Vice President Mike Pence also expressed his support in both English and Spanish, and told the opposition to 'Go with God.'

He wrote: 'To @jguaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in #operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you!' Pence tweeted on Tuesday. 'America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios! #FreeVenezuela'

Bullets began flying after Guaido, who has been trying to oust Maduro for months with largely peacrful protests, called for a military uprising against him, claiming he had lost support of the army

Guaido called on members of the public and soldiers to join him on the streets to oust Maduro in what he described as the 'final phase of Operation Liberty'

Protesters representing Juan Guaido were caught in the cross-fire and ran through clouds of tear gas in order to take cover

Black smoke billows from a bus as an opposition demonstrator rides past on a motorbike near the La Carlota military base in Caracas

Guaido has based himself at La Carlota airbase in the capital Caracas (pictured, protesters nearby), where heavy gunfire was heard hours after his announcement

Tear gas canisters were fired at civilians and troops who had joined Guaido on Tuesday morning, before apparent clashes with Maduro's troops

A satellite image of crowds of people at Plaza Altamira, in Caracas as anti-government demonstrations raged across the city

Guaido said the troops who had taken to the streets were protecting Venezuela's constitution and that in the coming hours he would release a list of top commanders supporting the uprising. Anti-government demonstrators gathered in several other cities, although there were no reports that supporters of Guaido had taken control of any military installations.

'The armed forces have taken the right decision,' said Guaido. 'With the support of the Venezuelan people and the backing of our constitution they are on the right side of history.'

An apparently carefully planned attempt by Guaido to demonstrate growing military support by claiming troops had joined his campaign disintegrated into rioting as palls of black smoke rose over eastern Caracas.

The government said it was 'deactivating' an attempted coup by a small group of 'treacherous' soldiers.

And there was little early sign Maduro's iron grip on the military - which has kept him in power in a months-long standoff with Guaido - had slipped.

A pall of black smoke also rose from an area near a helicopter hangar on the base. Soldiers put out the fire and fired tear gas at demonstrators who were trying to dismantle the steel perimeter fence.

As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to all sides to avoid violence, Venezuela's army chief and defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino, issued a stark warning of possible 'bloodshed' - adding that he would hold the opposition responsible.

In a message on Twitter, Padrino said the situation in military barracks and bases in the country was 'normal.'

He later said an army colonel had received a bullet wound to the neck during the clashes in Caracas.

Opposition demonstrators clash with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who were armed with shields and armoured vehicles

Opponents to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (back and left) scuffle with a Bolivarian National Guard officer who is loyal to President Maduro during clashes with rebel soldiers and anti-government protesters outside La Carlota base

An opposition demonstrator rides a bike in front of a burning bus near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

Opposition demonstrators help an injured fellow protester get away from the melee on the back of a motor bike near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

An opposition demonstrator left reeling from the effects of tear gas is fired by Maduro's troops is being helped during clashes with soldiers

A man who was run over by a Bolivarian National Guard vehicle is aided by fellow anti-government protesters outside La Carlota airbase

Opponents of Venezuela's President Maduro throw stones into the La Carlota airbase in Caracas where soldiers loyal to Maduro are based

Forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro confront with supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido after members of the Bolivarian National Guard joined Guaido's campaign to oust him

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said the 'right-wing extremists' would not succeed in fracturing the armed forces, which have largely stood with the socialist leader throughout the past few months of turmoil.

'Since 2002, we've seen the same pattern,' he said, adding that most of Caracas was calm. 'They call for violence, a coup, and send people into the streets so that there are confrontations and deaths. And then from the blood they try to construct a narrative,'

Hundreds of government supporters, some of them brandishing firearms, gathered at the presidential palace, answering the call by socialist leaders to come to the embattled Maduro's rescue.

'It's time to defend the revolution with arms,' Valentin Santana, head of a militant group, said in a video posted on social media as he brandished an automatic rifle.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez called on the army 'to remain on maximum alert to - with our glorious National Bolivarian Armed Forces - defeat the attempted coup and preserve peace'.

An online censorship-monitoring group says Venezuela's state-run internet provider has been restricting access to YouTube and some Google services.

NetBlocks says CANTV, the state-run telephone and internet service provider in Venezuela, also briefly restricted access to Twitter and Facebook on Tuesday after opposition leader Guaido and López launched the bid to oust Maduro.

Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, said Google's search engine was not affected but Microsoft's Bing was.

An opponent to President Maduro carrying a Venezuelan flag covers his face to shield himself from tear gas fired by soldiers

An opposition demonstrator is seen next to a government bus set on fire during clashes near the La Carlota military base in Caracas

A pro-coup supporter throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Caracas

An opposition demonstrator throwing a tear gas canister during clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after troops joined opposition leader Juan Guaido in his campaign to oust Maduro's government, in front of La Carlota military base in Caracas

Venezuelan soldiers who have backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido exchanged gunfire with troops loyal to President Maduro outside La Carlota airbase in the capital Caracas on Tuesday

Anti-government demonstrators drive their motorcycles near a burnt bus during anti-government protests in Caracas

A solider loyal to Guaido aims his handgun over the parapet of an overpass near the La Carlota airbase in Caracas

A supporter of Juan Guaido shows wounds he received to his chest fired by the National Guard during a protest in Caracas

As events unfolded, governments from around the world expressed a mix of support for Guaido while reiterating calls to avoid violent confrontation.

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, in a Twitter post directed at defence minister Padrino, said the armed forces 'must protect the Constitution and the Venezuelan people.'

He added it would be a 'big mistake' for Maduro to use violence against civilians in a bid to quash the rebellion.

Bolton said today that what's happening 'is clearly not a coup' because the U.S. and many other countries recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president.

The White House said it hopes an attempted military uprising in Venezuela will be 'enough to tip' leader Maduro out of power.

Spain's caretaker government urged restraint, while the governments of Cuba and Bolivia reiterated their support for Maduro.

'We hope with all of our strength that there is no bloodshed. We support a peaceful democratic process in Venezuela. We support the immediate holding of an election for a new president,' Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa said.

Arreaza denied there was a military coup attempt underway to oust Maduro and accused opposition leader Guaido of operating under orders from Washington.

At least 25 Venezuelan troops have sought asylum in Brazil's embassy in Caracas, a senior Brazilian official said Tuesday, after Venezuela's self-declared president Juan Guaido claimed soldiers had joined him.

A spokesman for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said soldiers and lieutenants were among the applicants.

The petitions for asylum came as Bolsonaro threw his support behind Venezuelans 'enslaved by a dictator,' a reference to President Nicolas Maduro whom Guaido is challenging for power.

The footage showed the white National Guard vehicle plough into demonstrators as they hurled missiles at troops loyal to President Maduro

An opposition demonstrator gestures during clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Maduro

Supporters of President of the Venezuelan Parliament clash with armoured trucks of the Bolivarian Armed Forces during a protest at the Altamira area in Caracas

Paramedics transport an anti-government protester who was injured during clashes between demonstrators and Maduro's security forces

Venezuelan National Guards stand guard on Simon Bolivar International Bridge, partially blocked by cargo containers placed by Venezuelan authorities, as people return from La Parada near Cucuta, Colombia

Members of the Bolivarian Armed Forces try to block a protest in support of Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaido in Caracas

'It is not a coup attempt from the military. This is directly planned in Washington, in the Pentagon and Department of State, and by Bolton,' Arreaza referring to U.S. national security adviser John Bolton.

'They are leading this coup and giving orders to this man [Juan] Guaido,' he added.

The latest violence comes after a months-long political standoff between Maduro, backed by Russia, China and Cuba, and Guaido, who is recognised by the United States and about 50 other nations as the country's interim president.

Arreaza said Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, was in full control of the country with the backing of the military.

'He is in his place of command as always, and he is in control of the situation. He is making government decisions every day,' said Arreaza.

Asked why Maduro had not been seen in public on Tuesday, Arreaza said: 'You will see President Maduro with his people in Miraflores [presidential palace] sooner [rather] than later.'

He estimated that around 30 or fewer members of the military had sided with Guaido, who was accompanied at a rally in Caracas with several dozen armed troops. 'This is 30 out of about 200,000, so it is almost nothing,' he added.

Maduro has called Guaido a U.S.-backed puppet who seeks to oust him in a coup.

Washington has imposed sanctions to try to dislodge Maduro. Arreaza, who was himself targeted with sanctions by Washington last week, said the Venezuelan government would act to maintain peace and security.

An injured man is helped by fellow anti-government protesters during clashes with security forces

A Bolivarian National Guard water canon sprays opponents of Venezuela's President Maduro during an attempted military uprising and anti-government protests in Caracas

Anti-government protesters used objects they found in the street such as bin lids and planks of wood during running battles with Maduro's forces

A military member and a man take cover near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase 'La Carlota' in Caracas

Opponents of President Maduro armed with missiles face off with Bolivarian National Guards in armoured vehicles

Government military police officers confront pro-Guaido demonstrators trying to protect themselves inside the Ministry of Housing at Avenida Francisco de Miranda in Caracas

An injured woman is treated during a protest in Caracas

'We are not threatening anyone with the use of violence. It's the United States, it's the opposition,' said Arreaza, who is married to the eldest daughter of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's former president who died in 2013 of cancer.

Arreaza said he had spoken to representatives from countries in the region and in Europe who were concerned about the situation and urged dialogue. He declined to name the countries, adding that the government was open to dialogue.

Guaido, who has the backing of the US and most Western governments, has been trying to oust Maduro for months using largely non-violent protests.

American National Security Adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence have since tweeted their support for Guaido, saying: 'The United States stands with the people of Venezuela.'

President Donald Trump 'has been briefed and is monitoring the ongoing situation,' White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Bolton said the Trump administration was waiting for three key officials, including Maduro's defence minister and head of the supreme court, to act on what he said were private pledges to remove Maduro. He did not provide details.

Meanwhile two of the key international allies of Maduro - Bolivia and Cuba - condemned what they described as a coup attempt by violent rebels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, another key ally of Venezuela that has invested billions in the country's oil industry, was 'discussing' the situation with his top security team.

Mexico expressed concern about an escalation in violence and called on both sides to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

Guaido has been trying to oust Maduro for months using largely peaceful protests, but that changed on Tuesday as he announced an uprising against the President

A large number of people on motorbikes gathered on a motorway overpass leading to the airbase before tear gas was fired, followed by live rounds

Soldiers who had defected to Guaido were seen setting up heavy machine gun posts on the overpass shortly before gunfire broke out

Venezuelan military forces fire tear gas in an attempt to disperse protesters at the airbase

Troops loyal to President Maduro are seen gathered near the airbase amid clashes with those who have joined the cause of 'interim president' Juan Guaido

A protesters throws a stone at a vehicle of the Guardia Nacional which have largely remained loyal to Maduro during protests

A member of the Bolivarian National Guard supporting Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido throws a tear gas canister

Protests appeared to be spreading around the country following Guaido's call, with the leader claiming that people in 24 states had come out to support him.

Brazil's vice president says that the situation in Venezuela has reached a point of no return.

Former Gen. Hamilton Mourao said that either opposition leaders Guaido and Leopoldo Lopez would 'be prisoners' or President Maduro 'would be leaving'. 'There is no other way out of this', he added.

It comes after years of mis-management have left the country impoverished, wracked by inflation and food shortages, and following Maduro's 'victory' in elections that many decried as rigged.

Meanwhile hundreds of supporters of President Nicolas Maduro have gathered at a rally beside Venezuela's presidential palace, where security force members are deployed on the perimeter wall.

The Maduro loyalists have been chanting slogans of support and a man on a truck has handed out large posters of Maduro with the Venezuelan flag behind him.

Guaido called on Venezuelans and the military to join him on the streets, as government vowed to put down what it said was an attempted coup.

In the three-minute video Guaido, speaking in the company of men in military uniform and opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, said he was at the Caracas air base La Carlota.

Soldiers who took to the streets would be acting to protect Venezuela's constitution, Guaido said. He made the comments a day before a planned anti-government rally.

'The moment is now,' he said, as his political mentor Lopez and several heavily armed soldiers backed by a single armoured vehicle looked on.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido appeared in a video (pictured) with a small contingent of heavily armed soldiers and formerly detained opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez calling for Venezuelans to take to the streets to oust President Maduro in Operation Liberty

A military member stands near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido delivers a speech during a gathering with supporters after members of the Bolivarian National Guard joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Tuesday he had began the 'final phase' of his plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro

Maduro hit back on Twitter, saying that he maintained the complete loyalty of the military on Twitter and pledging 'nerves of steel' for the fight ahead

US-backed Mr Guaido said 'the end of the usurpation' was beginning against the government of Nicolas Maduro (pictured)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton both backed Guaido's call, saying that American 'stands with the Venezuelan people'

After announcing the final phase of his uprising, Guaido left the military base in order to hold a rally on the streets of Caracas in order to prove he holds popular support

Guaido, center, stands with an unidentified military officer who is helping to lead a military uprising, center left, as they talk to the press and supporters outside La Carlota air base in Caracas

Defected Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guards and soldiers shout slogans against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in La Parada near Cucuta, Colombia

A member of Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard who has defected to Guaido holds up a Venezuelan flag with the Spanish message 'Resistance' written on it during a protest in La Parada near Cucuta

Defected members of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard sing Venezuela's national anthem and yell anti-government slogans as a loyalist guard films them with his cell phone at the border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia

Members of the public cheer as soldiers who have swapped loyalties to Guaido march into the Carlota airbase in Caracas

Military personnel loyal to Venezuelan interim President Juan Guaido hug each other outside the airbase in Caracas as they try to topple Nicolas Maduro from power

Defected members of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard and soldiers stand in formation at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, which links Venezuela and Colombia, in La Parada near Cucuta

Lopez has been under house arrest for leading an anti-government push in 2014.

Making his first public appearance since his detention, Mr Lopez said: 'This is the moment of all Venezuelans, those in uniform and those who aren't.

'Everyone should come to the streets, in peace.'

Lopez said he had been 'freed' from jail by soldiers supporting Guaido. He posted a picture on Twitter with men in uniform from the Carlota military base.

'Venezuela: the definitive phase to end the usurpation, Operation Liberty, has begun,' read the message.

US-backed Mr Guaido also said 'the end of the usurpation' was beginning against the Maduro goverment.

'In this moment I am meeting with the principal military units of our Armed Forces giving the start to the final phase of Operation Liberty,' he added.

'The national armed forces have taken the correct decision, and they count on the support of the Venezuelan people,' Guaido said.

Venezuela's information Minister Jorge Rodriguez responded on Twitter, saying the government is confronting a small group of 'military traitors' that are seeking to promote a coup.

Mr Rodriguez tweeted: 'We inform the people of Venezuela at the moment we are confronting and deactivating a reduced group of military traitors who are positioning themselves in the Distribuidor Altamira (neighbourhood) to promote a coup d'etat against the constitution and the peace of the Republic.

Lopez (centre), who had been under house arrest for leading an anti-government push in 2014, said he had been freed by soldiers and called for a military uprising

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez talks to media after being released from his home in Caracas, Venezuela, where he has been kept under house arrest since 2014

Uprising soldiers stands outside La Carlota air base in Caracas on Tuesday April 30

A pro-Guaido supporter throws a molotov cocktail near military base of La Carlota, in Caracas, Venezuela

Guaido supporters wearing gas masks and gloves pick up and throw tear gas canisters fired by pro-Maduro troops

A medic mounted on a motorbike makes his way through crowds near the airbase in Caracas after reports of gunfire

Supporters of the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido Pro-coup marching near military base of La Carlota, in Caracas

Soldiers and people react to the sound of gunfire near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase, in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition supporters demonstrate outside the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

'To this intent is added the putschist and murderous ultra right which announced its violent agenda months ago.

'We call on the people to maintain maximum alert so, together the glorious National Armed Bolivarian forces defeat the intent to mount a coup and preserve the peace. We will win.'

Venezuela's socialist party boss, Diosdado Cabello, called on government supporters to amass at the presidential palace to defend Maduro.

Guaido invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency in January after declaring Maduro's re-election a fraud.

He has the support of more than 50 countries, including the United States, which also recognise him as interim president.

The uprising came ahead of planned May Day protests which were going to be used to call for Maduro's removal, and appeared to be an attempt to build up momentum.

Guaido has said the protests will be 'the largest march in Venezuela's history,' part of what he calls the 'definitive phase' of his effort to take office in order to call fresh elections.

But Maduro, for his part, has appeared to retain control of state institutions and the loyalty of military officers.

A Venezuelan soldier stands guard at La Carlota army base, where Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez was led to meet with interim President Juan Guaido after he being released from his home, in eastern Caracas

Opponents to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro throwing stones at soldiers loyal to the president inside La Carlota airbase

Tear gas was fired at a highway overpass next to the Caracas air base where several heavily-armed soldiers with a blue band wrapped around their forearms had been standing guard. The tear gas appeared to have been fired from inside the air base

An opposition demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister on a street near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase

Tear gas floats in the air near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase 'La Carlota', in Caracas

People react to tear gas near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase 'La Carlota', in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has called for a military uprising, in a video shot at the air base showing him surrounded by soldiers and accompanied by detained activist Leopoldo Lopez

Protesters walk past a fire on the streets of Venezuela's capital Caracas as protests against Nicolasa Maduro spread

He has called Guaido a U.S-backed puppet who seeks to oust him in a coup. The government has arrested his top aide, stripped Guaido of his parliamentary immunity and opened multiple probes.

It has also barred him from leaving the country, a ban Guaido openly violated earlier this year.

Last week, Guaido said his congressional ally - opposition lawmaker Gilber Caro - had been detained, and that 11 members of his team had been summoned to appear before the Sebin intelligence agency.

Lopez, seen with Guaido, appeared to have left his home for the first time since being placed under house arrest in 2017, after three years in jail.

'I have been freed by soldiers on the side of the constitution and President Guaido,' he tweeted. All of us have to mobilize. It's time to win our freedom.'

A soldier in the group with Guaido, who identified himself just as Rivas, denied government accusations that they had been tricked into backing Guaido.

'We're all afraid,' he told Reuters, 'but we had to do it'.

Spain, instrumental in setting the European Union line, said that, although it considered Guaido the legitimate leader of Venezuela, it did not support a military coup and wanted to see elections.

Opposition demonstrators wearing gask masks to protect from tear gas and with the faces covered clash with soldiers loyal to President Maduro in Caracas

Pictured: Opponents to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro run from loyalist Bolivarian National Guard troops firing tear gas at them. Loyalists troops were locked in frantical battles with opposition supporters across the country on Tuesday afternoon

Soldiers on motorbikes speed away as opposition supporters pelt them with objects during clashes outside the La Carlota military airbase in Caracas, Venezuela

Civilians wearing rudimentary motorcycle helmets for protection crouch behind a concrete wall as members of the military loyal to the opposition sit ready with rifles and ammunition

Running battles between anti-government demonstrators and pro-regimes troops raged in the capital Caracas

Guaido's ambassador to the United States, Carlos Vecchio, called the action on Tuesday 'only the beginning' as he warned 'you will see more events in the hours and days to come'

Dozens of Venezuelan exiles tied blue ribbons to their right arms and packed a small Venezuelan diner in the Miami suburb of Doral - where President Trump has a golf resort - to follow the turmoil in their homeland.

Some shouted 'Long Live Venezuela' and 'Freedom' while wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the colours of Venezuela's flag. Others wept as they sang the nation's anthem. Many were checking social media networks and making video calls to relatives in Venezuela.

Wilfredo Castillo is a general practitioner who arrived three months ago from northern Venezuela. He cried as he said he did not know what it was like to live in a free country.

He said the revolt 'gives me hope to go back and step back on my soil, my homeland and be free.'

Florida is home to an estimated 190,000 Venezuelans - a small but significant share of the millions who have left the country in recent years.

Others showed their support for Guaido outside the Venezuelan consulate in New York and in Sol Square in Madrid.

Activists opposed to Guaido have staged a round-the-clock vigil inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC to prevent his representatives from taking over the building and keeping it in the hands of Maduro.

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido hung a Venezuelan flag behind a skeleton outside the Venezuelan consulate in New York

Activists opposed to Guaido have been staging a round-the-clock vigil inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC in an effort to prevent representatives of Guaido from taking over the building and keeping it in the hands of Venezuelan Maduro

Pro interim government opposition leader Juan Guaido supporters yell chats towards pro Nicolas Maduro supporters as they rally outside of the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido burn a picture of late Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a protest outside the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico City

Venezuelans living in Mexico, for and against the government of President Maduro, face each other outside the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico City

People attend a gathering of Venezuelan nationals in Sol Square in Madrid, Spain, after Guaido, asked supporters abroad to take the streets in front of Venezuelan embassies

Venezuelan supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido gather at Venezuela's embassy in Buenos Aires to protest

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido chant slogans during a rally in New York's Union Square

This photo was released by the Miraflores presidential palace press office to show supporters of President Maduro gathering outside Miraflores presidential palace during an attempted military uprising in Caracas