Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro says top military leaders have assured him of their loyalty despite calls by opposition leader Juan Guaido for the military to rise up.

Iran Press/America: In a tweet sent Tuesday, Maduro calls for "the maximum popular mobilization to assure the victory of peace."

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Twitter that Nicolas Maduro's government was confronting a small 'coup attempt' led by military 'traitors' backed by right-wing opponents, according to Iran Press.

Tear gas was fired at a highway overpass next to the Caracas air base where several heavily-armed soldiers with a blue band wrapped around their forearms had been standing guard. The tear gas appeared to have been fired from inside the air base.

Guaido appeared in the streets with a number of military backers, but so far there's no sign of a broader revolt in the armed forces.

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration backs Venezuelan congressional leader Juan Guaido in his call for a military uprising against President Nicolas Maduro.

Bolivian President Evo Morales issued a call via Twitter Tuesday urging Latin American governments "to condemn the coup d'etat in Venezuela and keep the violence from claiming innocent lives."

Evo Morales strongly condemned the US for trying to provoke violence and death in Venezuela.

Also the Russian government has accused Juan Guaido and the opposition of fuelling the conflict in Venezuela.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also sent a tweet backing Maduro and calling on the US to 'halt aggression against the peace.'

Government says it is putting down coup attempt

Also, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Tuesday that the armed forces remained “firmly in defense” of the “legitimate” government of President Nicolas Maduro after opposition leader Juan Guaido said he had the military’s support.

UN appeals to all sides to avoid violence

UN secretary general António Guterres says immediate steps need to be taken to restore clam in Venezuela. He also urged maximum restraint on all sides. There are also reports that security forces have clashed with small groups of protesters. 

The Trump administration is trying to apply economic pressure to Venezuela's left-leaning government, headed by president Nicolas Maduro, and at the same time the administration has also threatened to take military action against Venezuela.

Venezuela's opposition, so keen to get rid of Maduro, are also egging on the Trump administration to take military action against Caracas.

The new political crisis in Venezuela began when Guaido called himself president on 23 January, with the Trump administration immediately backing his claim. The Venezuelan government described Guido's action as an attempted coup d'etat against the elected president Nicholas Maduro. 208/211/103

Read more:

Venezuela's defense minister says armed forces remain with Maduro