The United States on Tuesday threw its full weight behind Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido, as the opposition leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
"Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operacion Libertad," tweeted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as Maduro's government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup.
"The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated," Pompeo wrote.
Earlier, the White House urged Venezuela's armed forces to stand by the country's "legitimate institutions."
"It should stand by the National Assembly and the legitimate institutions against the usurpation of democracy. The United States stands with the people of Venezuela."