(CNN) Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido admitted Wednesday that this week's anti-government protests lacked the support of enough military defectors to topple the country's embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

Just the day before, Guaido had announced that the attempt to oust Maduro's government was entering its "final phase," kicking off two days of protests, some of which turned violent.

Guaido, the current head of the National Assembly and self-proclaimed interim president, had hoped that the Tuesday announcement and ensuing protests would convince key members of the military to defect.

"We have to acknowledge that yesterday there were not enough (people), we have to insist that all the armed forces protest together," Guaido said Wednesday. "We are not asking for a confrontation. We are not asking for a confrontation among brothers, it's the opposite. We just want them to be on the side of the people."

Guaido also called on public sector employees to strike.

Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A woman demonstrates in front of police outside the Venezuelan navy headquarters in Caracas on Saturday, May 4. Hide Caption 1 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Anti-government demonstrators gather in Caracas on Sunday, May 5. Hide Caption 2 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Opposition leader Juan Guaido gives a speech to opposition leaders and workers for the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA on Friday, May 3. Hide Caption 3 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis In this handout photo, released by the Miraflores Press Office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, is accompanied by military officers as he arrives for a meeting with troops at Caracas' Fort Tiuna on Thursday, May 2. Hide Caption 4 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez speaks to the media at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas on May 2. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military. He and his family have been received as guests by Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva Fernández following his release. Hide Caption 5 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Journalists carry reporter Gregory Jaimes, who was injured Wednesday, May 1, while covering clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in Caracas. Hide Caption 6 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Anti-government protesters clash with security forces during the May Day protests in Caracas. Hide Caption 7 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Anti-government protesters clash with security forces on May 1. Hide Caption 8 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis National Police forces detain anti-government protesters near the La Carlota airbase during clashes in Caracas on May 1. Hide Caption 9 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Guaido, who has been recognized by many countries as Venezuela's interim president, speaks during a rally in Caracas on May 1. Hide Caption 10 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Members of Venezuela's National Guard clash with protesters on May 1. Hide Caption 11 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Anti-government protesters prepare to clash with security forces in Caracas. Hide Caption 12 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A Maduro supporter displays a poster of him during a rally on May 1. Hide Caption 13 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis An anti-government protester is assisted during clashes with security forces on May 1. Hide Caption 14 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Members of Venezuela's National Militia attend a pro-government rally in Caracas on May 1. Hide Caption 15 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Members of the military who support Guaido fire into the air to repel forces loyal to Maduro on Tuesday, April 30. The Maduro forces were trying to disperse a demonstration near the La Carlota base. Hide Caption 16 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis An opposition demonstrator is struck by a Venezuelan National Guard vehicle on a street near the La Carlota airbase on April 30. Hide Caption 17 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A demonstrator throws a Molotov cocktail at National Guard security forces near the La Carlota airbase on April 30. Hide Caption 18 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis An opposition demonstrator passes by a government bus that was set on fire during clashes on April 30. Hide Caption 19 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Fireworks launched by Maduro opponents land near National Guard armored vehicles. Hide Caption 20 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis An anti-government protester walks near a bus that was set on fire by Maduro opponents on April 30. Hide Caption 21 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Maduro, center, gives a live televised address on April 30. "We have been facing various forms of coup d'etat, due to the obsessive efforts of the Venezuelan right, the Colombian oligarchy and the US empire," he said. He accused "imperialist" forces of seeking "to attack and overthrow a legitimate government to enslave Venezuela." Hide Caption 22 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Guaido, center, appears before reporters and photographers outside the airbase in Caracas. To his right is opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez, who is essentially his predecessor. Hide Caption 23 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Lopez raises his fist to a crowd of supporters in Caracas on April 30. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military. Hide Caption 24 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis People who oppose Maduro confront troops who were firing tear gas at them outside the La Carlota airbase on April 30. Hide Caption 25 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Maduro opponents face off with Maduro loyalists in armored vehicles. Hide Caption 26 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Opposition demonstrators help an injured man near the airbase. Hide Caption 27 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A handgun belonging to a soldier is seen on the ground, along with bullets. Hide Caption 28 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis An opposition demonstrator throws back a tear-gas canister. Hide Caption 29 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A water cannon in sprayed on Maduro opponents in Caracas on April 30. Hide Caption 30 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Soldiers who oppose Maduro's government take cover on an overpass. Hide Caption 31 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Military members loyal to Maduro run under a cloud of tear gas after being repelled with rifle fire from pro-Guaido military members on April 30. Hide Caption 32 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Opposition demonstrators prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with soldiers loyal to Maduro. Hide Caption 33 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Soldiers who have joined Guaido's cause take position during clashes with Maduro loyalists in Caracas. Hide Caption 34 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A pro-Guaido military member throws a tear-gas canister during a confrontation with guards loyal to Maduro. Hide Caption 35 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Opposition supporters march near the airbase. Hide Caption 36 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A woman affected by tear gas is aided by fellow opponents of Maduro. Hide Caption 37 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis A person opposed to the Maduro government returns a tear-gas canister to the pro-Maduro soldiers who launched it. Hide Caption 38 of 39 Photos: In photos: Venezuela in crisis Military members gesture near the airbase. The blue armbands were worn in solidarity to the opposition. Hide Caption 39 of 39

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