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Watch: Chaos in Venezuela as armored vehicle plows into crowd amid uprising against Socialist dictator Maduro
Image source: NBC News video screenshot

Watch: Chaos in Venezuela as armored vehicle plows into crowd amid uprising against Socialist dictator Maduro

U.S.-backed President Juan Guaido is calling for 'final phase' of ending the Maduro regime

Protests are underway in Venezuela, as citizens took to the streets in response to U.S.-recognized President Juan Guaido calling for an uprising to end Socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro's regime. But Maduro is fighting back, and footage shows an armored vehicle plowing into a crowd of pro-Guaido supporters.

What are the details?

Guaido posted a video on Twitter shortly before dawn on Tuesday, showing him flanked by armed troops outside the La Carlota airbase in the capital of Caracas. The opposition leader called on Venezuelans and the military to back him in what he called the "final phase" of toppling Maduro, Reuters reported.

Guaido was also joined by his mentor, politician Leopoldo Lopez, who was meant to be under house arrest, according to Newsweek. Lopez tweeted, "I've been freed by soldiers following the constitution and President Guaido. I'm at the base. Let's all mobilize. It's time to win Freedom."

Hundreds of civilians descended on the base, and were met with tear gas. Troops loyal to Guaido exchanged gunfire with troops loyal to Maduro, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported "there were signs that the rebellion was spreading across the country, with reports of pro-opposition protests in [other] major cities including Valencia, Puerto Ordaz," and Barquisimeto.

Several hundred people also rallied outside Maduro's palace in support of the dictator. While Maduro did not make a public appearance, he issued a statement saying he had spoken with military leaders who reassured him of their "total loyalty." Maduro's second in command told the media that Venezuela was in a state of "absolute calm," despite the uprising staged by what he referred to as "the coup-mongering, murderous far right."

CNN reported Tuesday that a full-on overthrow attempt was underway, with pro-Guaido supporters tossing Molotov cocktails, joined by armed members of the Bolivian National Guard who were fighting against Maduro's troops.

Footage posted by NBC News purportedly shows a military vehicle "slamming into pro-Guaido protesters" outside the La Carlota base on Tuesday.

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Breck Dumas

Breck Dumas

Breck is a former staff writer for Blaze News. Prior to that, Breck served as a U.S. Senate aide, business magazine editor and radio talent. She holds a degree in business management from Mizzou, and an MBA from William Woods University.