On Wednesday,  President Donald Trump repeated strong US support for Venezuela's opposition and said protesters demanding the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro were fighting for freedom. Trump tweeted that  "Large protests all across Venezuela today against Maduro. The fight for freedom has begun!".

Earlier Trump said that he had spoken by phone with self-declared acting president Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by Washington, to reinforce "strong United States support for Venezuela's fight to regain its democracy." However Guaido in a message to the military delivered from the central university in Caracas said that "Don't shoot people who are making demands also for your family,"

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While the country's pro-government top court has barred Guaido, who is calling for large anti-Maduro street protests this week, from leaving the country. On Wednesday, people took to the streets in the capital Caracas and various other cities, banging pots, blowing whistles and horns, and carrying banners that read: "Armed forces, regain your dignity," "Maduro usurper," "Guaido, president" and "No to the dictatorship."

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