Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro oversaw a display of the army’s Russian hardware on Sunday, with anti-aircraft flak and tank rounds pounding a hillside to show military force and loyalty in the face of an international ultimatum for new elections.

Mr Maduro, 56, is confronting an unprecedented challenge to his authority after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president citing a fraudulent election. Guaido has won wide international support and offers amnesty to soldiers who join him.

White House national security adviser John Bolton warned against violence or intimidation of American diplomats in Venezuela or the opposition leader, saying such action would trigger a response from the United States.

“Any violence and intimidation against US diplomatic personnel, Venezuela’s democratic leader, Juan Guiado (sic), or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response,” Mr Bolton said in a Twitter post, also noting Cuba’s support for Mr Maduro’s paramilitary forces.

On Sunday, Israel joined the countries backing the 35-year-old Mr Guaido, and Donald Trump’s administration said it had accepted Venezuelan opposition figure Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as the country’s diplomatic representative in the United States.

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government epa07313731 Opponents of Chavism demonstrate against the Government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, 23 January 2019. Chavists and opponents are again demonstrating in the streets of the country to support or question the legitimacy of the head of state, which the Parliament and a large part of the international community do not recognize. EPA/CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas on January 23, 2019. - Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declared himself the country's "acting president" on Wednesday during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images YURI CORTEZ AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

Early on Sunday, alongside Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, Mr Maduro watched a platoon of soldiers release volleys of rocket-propelled grenades, machine-gun anti-aircraft fire and tank rounds at hillside targets, the Russian ordnance kicking up clouds of dust at the Fort of Paramacay, an armored vehicle base.

Mr Maduro said the display showed the world he had the backing of the military, and that Venezuela’s armed forces were ready to defend the country. Mr Maduro says Mr Guaido is taking part in a coup directed by Mr Trump’s hardline policy advisers, who include Cold War veterans Mr Bolton and Elliott Abrams.

“Nobody respects the weak, cowards, traitors. In this world, what’s respected is the brave, the courageous, power,” Mr Maduro said.

“Nobody should even think of stepping on this sacred soil. Venezuela wants peace ... and to guarantee peace, we have to be prepared,” he said. From 10 – 15 February, the military is planning larger exercises that Mr Maduro described as the “most important in the history of Venezuela”.

The show of force was accompanied by a government publicity campaign online based on the slogan “Always Loyal, Never a Traitor,” and followed a high-profile defection by the country’s top military diplomat in the United States on Saturday.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (L) listens to Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino during military exercises on January 27, 2019 (AFP/Getty Images)

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (L) listens to Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino during military exercises on January 27, 2019 (AFP/Getty)

The Fort of Paramacay, about two hours west of the capital, Caracas, was itself the site of an uprising in 2017, when about 20 soldiers and armed civilians attacked the base. The leader of the attack, which was quickly subdued, said he was calling for a transitional government.

Mr Maduro on Sunday denounced an alleged conspiracy aimed at spreading rebellion in the army, saying thousands of messages were being sent to soldiers every day over WhatsApp and other social media platforms from neighboring Colombia. He later jogged with soldiers and visited a navy base.

Mr Guaido also sent a message to the military on Sunday, asking for support and ordering it not to repress civilians during an event in which supporters handed out copies of a proposed amnesty for people accused of crimes in the Maduro government.

“I order you not to shoot,” he said. “I order you not to repress the people.”

At a UN Security Council debate on Saturday, Russia and China strongly backed Mr Maduro and rejected calls by the United States, Canada, Latin American nations and European powers for early elections.

Both Russia and China are major creditors of Venezuela. Since the government of Mr Maduro’s late mentor, Hugo Chavez, the OPEC nation has invested heavily in Russian weaponry, including Sukhoi fighter jets and heavy armour.

The strategic alliance was in evidence last year, when two Russian nuclear-capable bombers landed in Venezuela. Reuters reported on Friday that private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia flew into Venezuela to beef up security for Mr Maduro.

In an interview that aired on Sunday, Mr Maduro rejected a European ultimatum to call elections within eight days and said Mr Guaido violated the constitution by declaring himself interim leader.

“Fortunately, we don’t depend on Europe. And those arrogant, overbearing attitudes, looking down on us, because we are [not] inferior to them,” he told CNN Turk.

“The leaders of Europe are sycophants, kneeling behind the policies of Donald Trump,” he said, adding he was open to dialog and that meeting Mr Trump was improbable but not impossible.

Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? Show all 13 1 /13 Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A kilogram of meat is pictured next to 9,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 1.45 USD at a mini-market in Caracas, Venezuela. It was the going price at an informal market in the low-income neighborhood of Catia Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A kilogram of cheese is pictured next to 7,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 1.14 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A package of diapers is pictured next to 8,000,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 1.22 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A toilet paper roll is pictured next to 2,600,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.40 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A package of 1kg of pasta is pictured next to 2,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.38 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A 2.4 kg chicken is pictured next to 14,600,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 2.22 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A bar of soap is pictured next to 3,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.53 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A package of 1kg of corn flour is pictured next to 2,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.38 USD REUTERS Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A kilogram of carrots is pictured next to 3,000,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.46 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A package of 1kg of rice is pictured next to 2,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.38 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A package of pads is pictured next to 3,500,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.53 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A kilogram of tomatoes is pictured next to 5,000,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.76 USD Reuters Venezuela hyperinflation – What can the Bolivar currency buy you? A kilogram of tomatoes is pictured next to 5,000,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 0.76 USD Reuters

Washington urged the world on Saturday to “pick a side” on Venezuela and financially disconnect from Mr Maduro’s government.

Venezuela has sunk into turmoil under Mr Maduro, with food shortages and protests amid an economic and political crisis that has sparked mass emigration and inflation seen rising to 10 million percent this year.

Britain, Germany, France and Spain have all said they would recognise Mr Guaido if Mr Maduro failed to call new elections within eight days, an ultimatum Russia said was “absurd” and the Venezuelan foreign minister called “childlike”.

The United States, Canada, most Latin American nations and many European states say Mr Maduro stole his second-term election win last May. The former union leader cruised to victory after blocking the main opposition candidates from running. Turnout was low.

Australia has also said it recognises Mr Guaido as interim president.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan voiced his support for Mr Maduro in a phone call on Thursday.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds