Thousands of opposition protesters gathered at different points in Caracas, heeding a call by opposition leader Juan Guaido for the "largest march" in Venezuela's history a day after his calls for a military uprising fell short.
Some of Wednesday's protesters in Altamira district said they were disappointed by the failure of the military to respond to the call to oust President Nicolas Maduro, as well as by the lack of a massive presence of demonstrators that could force a change of government.
Maduro has accused Guaido of trying to stage a coup and says there will be criminal prosecutions.
"Today we continue," Guaido said in a post on Twitter early on Wednesday. "We will keep going with more strength than ever, Venezuela."
He later appeared at one of the public protests. With his sleeves rolled up, the 35-year-old lawmaker said his movement is winning, despite the lack of military response on Tuesday. In his words, "The usurper has lost."
He told the crowd that the opposition will need to step up its pressure against Maduro, and called on supporters to take steps toward a general strike.
"If the regime thought we had reached maximum pressure, they cannot even imagine," Guaido told thousands of cheering supporters in eastern Caracas. "We have to remain in the streets."
Supporters banged drums and chanted, "What do I want? Freedom!"
In his boldest effort yet to gain the support of the armed forces, Guaido appeared early Tuesday outside a Caracas air force base with dozens of National Guard members.
That triggered a day of violent protests, leaving more than 100 injured, but without any concrete signs of defection from the armed forces leadership.
Russia-U.S. tension
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone that further "aggressive steps" in Venezuela would be met with the gravest consequences, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.
Lavrov also condemned what he called the United States' "interference" in Venezuela's internal affairs as a breach of international law, adding that dialogue between all political forces is required in the Latin American country.
Earlier, Pompeo said during a television interview on Wednesday that the United States was prepared to take military action to stem the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela.
"Military action is possible. If that's what's required, that's what the United States will do," Pompeo said in an interview with Fox Business Network, but added the United States would prefer a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela.
Venezuelan opposition supporters have been holding mass protests, a day after violent clashes with government forces.
"We will keep going with more strength than ever," opposition leader Juan Guaidó tweeted. Pro-government rallies are also taking place.
The rival demonstrations come after President Nicolás Maduro said he had stopped an "attempted coup" on Tuesday.
Mr Guaidó says he is backed by members of the armed forces, but Mr Maduro insists he still has their support.
In a fiery television address on Tuesday, Mr Maduro accused protesters of "serious crimes" which he said would "not go unpunished", and said the US was plotting against him.
Mr Guaidó declared himself Venezuela's interim leader in January and has been recognised by more than 50 countries, including the US, the UK and most in Latin America.
But Mr Maduro - backed by Russia, China and the top of the country's military - has refused to cede leadership to his rival.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said military action was "possible" if necessary but that the US would prefer a peaceful transition of power. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the US against further "aggressive" steps.
The UN meanwhile called on both sides to exercise "maximum restraint".
Addressing his supporters in Caracas, Mr Guaidó called the protests an "irreversible process" and vowed to continue demonstrations every day "to achieve freedom".
"We are on the right track, there is no turning back," he said.
He also said there would be a series of staggered strikes starting on Thursday and culminating in a general strike.
There were clashes on a highway close to an airbase in the east of the capital.
Government forces fired tear gas on protesters, while some demonstrators threw stones. Others have been seen making Molotov cocktails.
At the scene in Caracas
By Guillermo Olmo, BBC Venezuela correspondent
Juan Guaidó had appeared to be losing momentum but it seems that Tuesday's events have revived his bid.
The La Carlota airbase, where the violent clashes took place yesterday, looks like a war zone. It was covered with broken glass and pieces of brick and stone, as well as bullet cases and gas canisters. There were burnt motorbikes and a burned-out bus blocking the street.
In the west side of the city there was a pro-government demonstration. Despite very few attendants at the last rallies called by the government, this one on Wednesday seemed to be full of their supporters. May Day has always been a very significant date for the leftist Venezuelan government - it is something they have traditionally marked.
From there we went to a square in Altamira, an opposition stronghold. It was also full of people, peaceful protesters so far - although there are reports coming through of shots fired somewhere in the city. There were more attendants than in the last protests called by Mr Guaidó.
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