It rejects characterizations of his move as an attempted coup.

The statement Tuesday from the Lima Group calls on Venezuela's military to place its loyalties with Guaidó, not President Nicolás Maduro. It urges the armed forces "to cease being instruments of the illegitimate regime for the oppression of the Venezuelan people."

The group has recognized Guaidó's as Venezuela's rightful interim president, saying Maduro's re-election was illegitimate.

The statement was signed by the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.