Soldiers and people react to the sound of gunfire near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase "La Carlota" in Caracas, Venezuela April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said “acts of violence” by some members of the armed forces on Tuesday had been “partly defeated” and that the military’s top ranks remained “loyal to the constitution.”

Padrino’s comments in an address on state television came after some members of the National Guard heeded opposition leader Juan Guaido’s call to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, leading to clashes with forces loyal to Maduro outside an air base in Caracas.