Venezuela's military is standing by the country's embattled president, amid a potential coup.

The opposition is calling for an uprising against President Nicolas Maduro, as armed forces exchange fire in the capital Caracas. 

About a thousand soldiers have joined the US-backed opposition.

But correspondent Cody Weddle told Mike Hosking the country's 3000 generals still back the president.

There are now fears the civil unrest could deteriorate into civil war.