Venezuela's defense minister on Monday declared the army's loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro, two days ahead of a major protest by opponents trying to oust the leftist president.
"The Bolivarian National Armed Forces remains united... and confirms its unconditional loyalty to the president," General Vladimir Padrino told thousands of pro-Maduro militia members at a rally outside the presidential palace.
The center-right opposition has called on the military -- a pillar of support for Maduro -- to turn on the president amid an economic and political crisis that has triggered severe food shortages, riots, looting and violent protests.