Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido has called for an uprising, but President Nicolas Maduro is believed to be maintaining control of his country.
Guaido took to Twitter at an air force base near the presidential office in the capital, Caracas, early on Tuesday to call on all military personnel to rise to action.
He was accompanied by men in military uniforms and prominent opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez. Lopez has been under house arrest.
Following Guaido's address, people took to the streets in Caracas, demanding Maduro's resignation and throwing stones.
But senior military officials expressed their support for Maduro, one after another.
Local media say 25 military personnel believed to have led the uprising are seeking refuge at the Brazilian embassy in Venezuela. They also say Lopez is asking the Chilean embassy for protection.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that Maduro had an airplane ready on the tarmac on Tuesday morning to leave for Cuba. But he said Russia indicated he should stay.
Asked about the source of the information, Pompeo just noted the United States talked with people in Venezuela as well as its military and opposition leaders.
Pompeo called on Russia and Cuba to stop supporting Maduro. He urged the embattled leader to "fire up the plane" to leave Venezuela and hand power to Guaido right away.
NHK
