Venezuela’s opposition leader, Juan Guaido on Tuesday took the unusual step in his attempt to actualize his ambition of ruling the oil-rich country by taking to the streets with his supporters and calling for a military uprising.

The stunning events began early Tuesday when Guaido, flanked by a few dozen national guardsmen and some armoured crowd-control vehicles, released a three-minute video shot near the Carlota air base.

The violent street battles which erupted in parts of Caracas, the country’s capital after the video was released were the most serious challenge yet to Nicolas Maduro’s rule.

While the rebellion seemed to have garnered only limited military support, at least one high-ranking official announced he was breaking with Maduro, signaling a setback for the embattled president.

Speaking on national television on Tuesday night, Maduro declared that the opposition had attempted to impose an illegitimate government with the support of the United States and neighboring Colombia.

 Guaido sought to keep the momentum going at the end of the day by releasing another video message in which he urged Venezuelans to take to the streets again on Wednesday.

The quest by Maduro to solidify his hold on power capped a dramatic day which included a tense moment when armoured vehicles plowed into a group of anti-government demonstrators trying to storm the capital’s air base, hitting and wounding at least two protesters.