Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday security forces had foiled an opposition coup attempt that included plans to assassinate him and other top political figures and install a jailed former military officer as president. 

"We have revealed, dismantled and captured a fascist band of terrorists that planned a coup against Venezuelan society and Venezuelan democracy," said Maduro in an evening broadcast. "They are captured, behind bars, with clear evidence after following this group of criminals and fascists." 

The plan allegedly involved an attack on the headquarters of the Sebin intelligence agency to release General Raul Baduel, a former defense minister who was arrested on corruption accusations in 2009. 

Maduro said the plan involved opposition leader Juan Guaido as well as political leaders from Chile, Colombia and the United States. Guaido dismissed the accusations as lies.  

Venezuela was thrust into a deep power struggle in January when Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, proclaimed himself "interim president" of Venezuela, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.