Watch: Military Trucks Mow Down Protesters In Venezuela As Maduro Accuses Opposition Of Attempted Coup

Armoured vehicles belonging to the Venezuelan national guard were seen ploughing into opposition protesters in the country’s capital Caracas, reports Independent. The protesters had come out in force after opposition leader Juan Guaidó initiated the ‘final phase’ of his plan to overthrow the current regime.

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The shocking scenes were witnessed outside La Carlota air base, with demonstrators defying a large-scale presence of armed troops. In various places, gunshots were also heard, with footage of what are believed to be military defectors coming out in support of Guaidó.

The country has witnessed a debilitating economic crisis under the rule of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with hyperinflation setting in, along with shortages of food and basic supplies. The United States and a number of other nations have called for the ouster of his regime. Many of these countries have also recognised Guaidó as the democratically elected president.

For his part, Maduro called the latest outbreak of protests against him a ‘coup’ and asked his supporters to counter-mobilise outside Miraflores, the presidential palace. The present regime is often accused of relying on ‘colectivos’, or irregular paramilitary groups, to defend itself.

These groups are often accused of extrajudicial killings and other means of a violent crackdown by the opposition.