Venezuela: Thousands expected to join protests against Maduro

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are expected to join a march on Wednesday in a bid to topple President Nicolás Maduro's government.

The protests will mark 61 years since the fall of the country's military dictatorship in 1958.

Opposition leaders are also urging Venezuela's powerful armed forces to withdraw their support for Maduro. And they are taking their campaign abroad by lobbying foreign governments to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Caracas.

National Assembly president Juan Guaidó, who has organized the demonstration, called it a "historic appointment with the people".

On Tuesday, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said that Washington would support any effort by the opposition to form a provisional government to replace Maduro. Addressing average Venezuelans, Pence added: "We stand with you and we will stay with you until democracy is restored."

Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez dismissed Pence's intervention, reportedly telling a news conference "Yankee go home".

The opposition protest aims to back an attempt by Guaidó to establish a transitional administration ahead of new elections.

The governing Socialist Party has announced a rival protest to counter the opposition march.

Wednesday's demonstrations come just two days after 27 National Guard soldiers allegedly revolted against the government at a guard post in the capital, Caracas.

Government officials dismissed it as a cover to steal weapons.

Addressing soldiers on Monday, Guaidó promised amnesty for those who refused to serve the government.

"We're not asking you to launch a coup d'état, we're not asking you to shoot," he said. "We're asking you not to shoot at us."

Guaidó called for demonstrations after Maduro was sworn in for a second presidential term this month.

He was re-elected in a May 2018 vote boycotted by the opposition and condemned by many in the international community.

Guaidó wants to replace Maduro and serve as an interim president ahead of elections.

Venezuela's Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the state prosecutor to investigate whether Guaidó had committed a crime.

Millions have fled Venezuela in recent years amid a deepening economic crisis brought on by a drop in the price of oil in 2014.