"We have been facing various modes of aggression and coups d'etat like has never happened before in the history of Venezuela," Maduro declared, in a speech flanked by his top military commanders. He blamed "the Venezuelan far right, the Colombian oligarchy from Bogotá, and American imperialism" for Guaidó's moves to finally replace him.

Guaidó became interim president of Venezuela in January after Maduro claimed the position despite not being democratically elected. Maduro has rejected the legislature's appointment of Guaidó, refused to leave the presidential palace, and has largely maintained control of the military through his senior henchmen, making it impossible for Guaidó to exercise his power as commander in chief.

Guaidó announced on Tuesday that he had acquired control of a critical mass of the military, but he needed civilians to support the anti-Maduro troops against their superiors. Maduro rejected the call as a "coup" despite his lack of legitimacy in office.