Venezuela says it is confronting small group of traitors attempting coup

Venezuela's government is confronting a small group of "military traitors" that are seeking to promote a coup, Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Tuesday on Twitter.

A Reuters journalist saw opposition leader Juan Guaido standing near an air force base in Caracas surrounded by a group of men in uniform.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Tuesday that the armed forces remained "firmly in defence" of the "legitimate" government of President Nicolas Maduro, after opposition leader Juan Guaido said he had the military's support.

Padrino, in a series of Twitter posts, said all military units across the country had reported "normality" in their barracks and military bases.

Diosdado Cabello, the head of Venezuela's pro-government constituent assembly, called on supporters of President Nicolas Maduro to rally at the presidential palace after opposition leader Juan Guaido said troops had joined him to oust Maduro.

Guaido, speaking earlier on Tuesday near the La Carlota air force base in Caracas surrounded by a group of men in military uniform, said the "final phase" to end Maduro's presidency had begun.

Cabello said the opposition had not been able to take over the air base, which he said remained "absolutely under the operational control" of the government.

Earlier on Tuesday, opposition leader Juan Guaido released a video on Twitter in which he can be seen alongside soldiers and calling for uprising to end the "usurpation" of Maduro.

He stressed that this was the beginning of the final phase of the so-called Freedom Operation to oust Maduro.

"The National Armed Forces have made the right decision, they have the support of the Venezuelan people," Guaido said.

Guaido also called on public to took to the streets to support the "democratic forces" and "restore country's freedom."

VENEZUELA COUP ATTEMPT DRAWS WORLD REACTIONS
Venezuela coup attempt led by the opposition leader Juan Guiado on Tuesday drew reactions from world leaders.

Cuba and Bolivia said on Monday that they are with the Venezuelan government against the coup attempt led by Guaido, who declared himself an "interim president" of the country in January.

"We strongly reject this coup that aims to put the country into violence," President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Twitter, and added that his country condemns the initiative of armed groups "aimed at creating terror on the streets of Venezuela".

"We are with the people of Venezuela," he added.

Bolivian President Evo Morales also "strongly" condemned the coup attempt and said it is "serving foreign interests".

"We are with brotherly Maduro and the friendly people of Venezuela," Morales wrote on Twitter.

Isabel Celaa, spokeswoman for the Spanish government, said the solution in Venezuela must be attained through peaceful means. "We don't support any military coup," Celaa added.

Colombian President Ivan Duque, for his part, backed the coup attempt in Venezuela.

"We call the military and the people of Venezuela to be on the right side of history," he said, adding that he "rejects dictatorship and usurpation of Maduro".

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Tensions escalated when Guaido, who heads Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.