Caracas, May 1 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addressed the nation Tuesday night from the Miraflores Presidential Palace, presenting a detailed account of the failed military coup carried earlier in the day.

Maduro stated that the La Carlota Military Base -- one of the main objectives of military deserters -- was never taken, but that a group of soldiers concentrated on the Altamira highway.  The Venezuelan leader highlighted the loyalty of the Bolivarian National Armed Force in neutralizing the attempted coup.

He went on to say that the government has faced attempted coups as never before in history because of the extreme right's desire to "impose an illegitimate government and subject the country to a neocolonial model."  The Bolivarian leader said: "Today was a contrast of peace and violence in Venezuela, a coup d'état, delivered to foreign interests and the gringo empire."