Police officers clashes with civilians in Caracas

Members of the Bolivarian National Police repress a group of demonstrators in Caracas on Wednesday as mass protests sweep the country.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president Wednesday, and was officially recognised by US President Donald Trump mere hours later, prompting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give US diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

Wednesday marked the 61st anniversary of a civilian and military uprising that unseated former dictator General Marcos Perez Jimenez.