Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting President Nicolás Maduro.
Mr Guaidó declared himself interim president earlier this month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries.
Major powers Russia and China back Mr Maduro and military support is seen as crucial to his hold on power.
The crisis comes as Mr Maduro began a second term after controversial polls.
Many opposition candidates were barred from running or jailed.
About three million people have fled Venezuela amid acute economic problems, and there has been an upsurge in violence in recent weeks.
US President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday that he had spoken to Mr Guaidó and supported his “historic assumption of the presidency”, writing in a second tweet that “The fight for freedom has begun!”
UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt meanwhile is expected to urge EU nations to impose sanctions on key figures in Mr Maduro’s government on Thursday, after also speaking to Mr Guaidó on Wednesday.