Thousands of opposition protesters, led by Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido, on Wednesday called on the armed forces to abandon President Nicolas Maduro and allow humanitarian aid into the crisis-wracked country.
People took to the streets in the capital Caracas and various other cities, banging pots, blowing whistles and horns, and carrying banners that read: "Armed forces, regain your dignity," "Maduro usurper," "Guaido, president" and "No to the dictatorship."
"Don't shoot people who are making demands also for your family," Guaido said in a message to the military delivered from the central university in Caracas.
The 35-year-old National Assembly president, an engineer by training, is attempting to force the 56-year-old Maduro from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections.
Guaido quickly earned the support of the United States and several Latin American countries. Six major European nations have told Maduro to call those elections by the weekend or they too will recognize Guaido.
The political upheaval has exacerbated the general disarray in Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves but has suffered an economic meltdown marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities.
Millions have been left in poverty, while 2.3 million more have fled the country, unleashing a migration crisis in South America.
Wednesday's protest, a two-hour strike, aimed to "demand that the armed forces side with the people" after bloody clashes following protests last week left more than 40 people dead and 850 incarcerated.
Earlier, Maduro had earlier tried to rally the armed forces himself, meeting with 2,500 soldiers in the capital and calling for "unity" while hitting out at military "mercenaries."
He accused the "oligarchy" in neighboring Colombia of being behind an attempt by military deserters to drive a wedge between him and the armed forces -- which are key to his hold on power.
Colombia on Wednesday barred entry to more than 200 people linked to Maduro's regime.
In a telephone call, US President Donald Trump congratulated Guaido on his "historic assumption of the presidency," the White House said.
Maduro has long had troubled relations with Washington.
"Do you want a puppet of the gringos to govern Venezuela?" he asked the soldiers, who responded with a resounding: No!"
- Humanitarian 'emergency' -
Earlier this week, The United States slapped oil sanctions on Maduro's regime in an attempt to starve the government of its funding.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned American businesses not to "deal in gold, oil, or other Venezuelan commodities being stolen from the Venezuelan people by the Maduro mafia."
In an interview with the German daily Bild, Guaido called on EU countries to impose additional sanctions on Maduro's government.
The punitive measures could deprive Maduro's regime of 80 percent of its liquidity, analysts said, leaving many citizens worried about how they will cope.
"We're working to bring in humanitarian aid as soon as possible," said Guaido.
Another mass opposition street demonstration is planned for Saturday, alongside a parallel pro-regime march.
In an interview with Russia's RIA Novosti agency, Maduro said he was willing to negotiate with the opposition and even offered to bring forward legislative elections -- though dismissed the idea of a new presidential poll.
"Presidential elections in Venezuela have taken place, and if imperialists want new elections, let them wait until 2025," he said.
The European Union, US and many Latin American countries joined the opposition in dismissing the legitimacy of the election Maduro won in May -- one boycotted by the opposition.
Although in opposition hands since 2015, the National Assembly has been sidelined since 2016 as the Supreme Court -- dominated by regime loyalists -- annuls its every decision.
Elections would merely give Maduro the chance to regain control of the National Assembly.
- 'Final throes' -
Guaido launched a direct challenge to Maduro's authority last week when he declared himself acting president.
He knows, though, that he must convince the military to switch sides in order to dislodge Maduro, a former bus driver.
Despite an offer of amnesty to those who disavow the socialist leader, the military high command remains loyal to Maduro.
Last week, a group of soldiers rose up against Maduro. Venezuela's military attache to Washington deserted the president on Saturday.
The US has urged Venezuela's armed forces to "accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power."
"The regime is in its final throes," said Guaido.
The United States has refused to rule out military intervention in Venezuela.
Maduro said Trump would have "blood all over his hands" if violence breaks out in the country.
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