Armoured National Guard vehicles have been seen driving into protesters on the streets of Caracas in what one observer has dubbed Venezuela’s “Tiananmen Square” moment.

Video broadcast on several networks around the world shows the vehicles appearing to run directly over protesters on different sections of a roadway, reportedly outside of the La Carolta air base in the Venezuelan capital.

Protesters have taken to the street in the city after opposition leader Juan Guaido — who has international support form the United States — posted a video online calling of the “final phase” in his plan to ouster President Nicolas Maduro.

As the protests continued throughout the day on Tuesday, gunshots were reportedly heard, drawing the attention of the international community.

Mr Maduro, for his part, has called the demonstrations a “coup” that he says was planned in the United States.

Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Show all 5 1 /5 Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators push a bus that was torched during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators are seen through the cracked windshield of a torched bus AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine A woman moves away from the flames of a burning bus AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine A bus that was torched during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators push away a bus that was torched during clashes AP

The US has announced its support for Mr Guaido, though it is not clear that the Tuesday demonstrations were actually planned in Washington.

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