Clashes broke out in the sections of Caracas and gunfire could be heard on Tuesday after opposition leader Juan Guaidó and recently released activist Leopoldo Lopez called on Venezuelans and the military to rise up and oust embattled President Nicolas Maduro from power.

“I want to tell the Venezuelan people: This is the moment to take to the streets and accompany these patriotic soldiers,” said Lopez, who had been detained since 2014. “Everyone should come to the streets, in peace.”

He said members of the military operating on Guaidó’s orders freed him from house arrest.

“People of Venezuela, the end of usurpation has arrived,” Guaidó said in a video released Tuesday that showed him flanked by Lopez and men wearing fatigues and toting weapons.

“At this moment, I am with the main military units of our armed forces, starting the final phase of Operation Liberty. People of Venezuela, we will go to the street with the armed forces to continue taking the streets until we consolidate the end of usurpation, which is already irreversible,” he said in the video recorded near the La Carlota military base in Caracas.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo proclaimed the United States’ backing of Guaidó.

“Today interim President Juan Guaidó announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy,” Pompeo said in a tweet. “Democracy cannot be defeated. #EstamosUnidosVE”

Maduro in a Twitter message said he has spoken with the country’s military leaders and they have pledged “their total loyalty.”

“Nerves of steel!” he said. “I call for maximum popular mobilization to assure the victory of peace. We will win!”

Guaidó, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, has been recognized by dozens of countries, including the United States, as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

As a crowd carrying Venezuelan flags began to gather outside La Carlota on Tuesday, soldiers loyal to Maduro fired tear gas at them, forcing many of them to flee.

Armed men in military uniform who accompanied Guaidó exchanged gunfire with government troops at the air force base, Reuters reported.

Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez described Guaidó’s actions as a “coup,” saying the government is “deactivating a small number of traitorous military personnel.”

“We call on the people to remain in maximum alert so that, together with the glorious Bolivian armed forces, we defeat this attempted coup and preserve peace. We will win,” Rodriguez said.

US Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been a supporter of Guaidó, tweeted “now is the moment.”

“After years of suffering freedom is waiting for people of #Venezuela. Do not let them take this opportunity from you,” the Florida Republican posted. “Do not allow this moment to slip away. It may not come again.”

US national security adviser John Bolton said the opposition has the support of the United States and called on Venezuela’s military to back Guaidó and protect the constitution.

“It should stand by the National Assembly and the legitimate institutions against the usurpation of democracy. The United States stands with the people of Venezuela,” he wrote in a tweet.

With Post wires