UPDATE: The two sides are violently clashing.
Clashes erupt in Venezuela, with protesters throwing rocks at armored vehicles.
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) April 30, 2019
Both President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido have claimed military support pic.twitter.com/AVjDpK9ZI5
ORIGINAL POST
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president in January, has encouraged citizens to stage an uprising on Tuesday to overthrow socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro. This is the "final phase" of their plan to uproot him, Guaidó said.
Pueblo de Venezuela, es necesario que salgamos juntos a la calle, a respaldar a las fuerzas democráticas y a recuperar nuestra libertad. Organizados y juntos movilícense a las principales unidades militares. Pueblo de Caracas, todos a la Carlota.
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
En el marco de nuestra constitución. Y por el cese definitivo de la usurpación. https://t.co/3RD2bnQhxt
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019
Citizens have suffered and starved under Maduro's reign. But he is desperate to hold on to power. The dictator has shuttered all public transit in Caracas and blocked social media access. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has closely covered this crisis, suggested that these actions expose his sense of desperation.
The #MaduroRegime call for armed colectivo groups to take to the streets is a clear sign that they have lost faith in their control of the military in #Venezuela
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 30, 2019
Reports that streets around #MaduroRegime TV station are being blocked by forces loyal to regime. Sign that they are worried about someone coming to take control of it. https://t.co/K4aWkFCt2G
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 30, 2019
The White House supports Guaidó's effort.
"We stand with the people of Venezuela," White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway said. "It's time for Maduro to go."
She is hoping, however, for a "peaceful transition of power."