JUDY WOODRUFF: The power struggle in Venezuela has taken a sudden, violent turn.
The opposition leader appealed to the military today to turn against the regime.
Thousands of protesters responded, but it wasn't clear whether the armed forces are
indeed ready to shift their allegiance.
William Brangham begins our coverage.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: The call for a military uprising came at dawn.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido, flanked by members of the Venezuelan military near a
base in the capital, Caracas.
JUAN GUAIDO, President, Venezuelan National Assembly (through translator): It is the moment.
The moment is now.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Guaido was also joined by Venezuela's most prominent opposition figure,
Leopoldo Lopez, who had been detained since 2014.
Lopez said security forces released him from house arrest.
LEOPOLDO LOPEZ, Opposition Activist (through translator): The majority of men and women
in uniform are aware that there has to be a change in Venezuela, and we are appealing
to all of them to join in this process of unification of armed forces with the people
of Venezuela.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Soon, hundreds of supporters heeded the calls, waving flags and signs and
chanting solidarity.
As the day wore on, the crowds swelled into the thousands.
MAN (through translator): Defend freedom.
out with tyranny.
Yes, the people can.
Down with tyranny.
Everyone out to the street.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Guaido insisted that this wasn't a military coup, but an effort to protect
the country from President Nicolas Maduro, who is widely accused of stealing last year's
election, and whom the U.S. and dozens of other nations have called upon to step down.
JUAN GUAIDO (through translator): We know that all Venezuelans, including the armed
forces, are in favor of the Constitution.
What the soldiers are doing today, not only in Caracas, but in the entire nation, is to
be on the side of the Constitution.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Maduro, in turn, tweeted that this was a coup and that he still had
the support of the country's military.
On state television, his defense minister claimed only a small group of soldiers had
joined the uprising and they were incited by the United States.
VLADIMIR PADRINO, Venezuelan Defense Minister (through translator): We vehemently reject
this new aggression, led by elements of the North American imperialism and those who are
here showing their faces, those behind this, and their lackeys, the master and their slaves
here in Venezuela.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: In short order, troops loyal to Maduro fired tear gas to break up the crowds.
The sounds of gunfire echoed across the city throughout the afternoon, and a Venezuelan
National Guard vehicle was seen running over several protesters who were throwing stones.
Today, President Trump tweeted: "The United States stands with the people of Venezuela
and their freedom."
And Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted, democracy cannot be defeated.
National Security Adviser John Bolton joined in later.
JOHN BOLTON, U.S. National Security Adviser: It's a very delicate moment.
I want to stress again the president wants to see a peaceful transfer of power from Maduro
to Guaido.
That possibility still exists, if enough figures depart from the regime and support the opposition.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Elsewhere in the region, Colombia's president, Ivan Duque, urged Venezuelans
to back Guaido and reject dictatorship.
His Brazilian counterpart, Jair Bolsonaro, tweeted support for the opposition a well.
But two of Maduro's key allies, Cuba and Bolivia, denounced today's rebellion and blamed the
U.S. for provoking violence and death.
The last major confrontation in Venezuela came in February, when opposition activists
tried to deliver humanitarian aid into the country.
At least four people died, and scores more were wounded.
All of this in a country that was once wealthy, but has descended into economic turmoil in
recent years, with hyperinflation and skyrocketing debt.
The country is also under crippling U.S. sanctions on its oil industry.
For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm William Brangham.
JUDY WOODRUFF: This evening, President Trump threatened a full trade embargo on Cuba if
its forces do not halt all operations in Venezuela.
We will talk to the Venezuelan opposition's ambassador in Washington after the news summary.