Violent protests erupted in Caracas, Venezuela, after a failed attempt to oust President Nicolás Maduro (Photo: Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Earlier this week, Maduro also changed the head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service of Venezuela (SEBIN), appointing General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez at the helm of the agency.

The decisions came after the Venezuelan opposition, led by Juan Guaido, initiated an attempt to oust Maduro, staging a demonstration in front of La Carlota military base in Caracas on Tuesday.