Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Tuesday reaffirmed the military's "absolute loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, amid an on-going dispute over the country's contested presidential election results.

In Venezuela, the government has announced it is launching a criminal probe into the country's opposition leaders. It's the latest move in leader Nicolas Maduro's strategy to crush protests that have erupted over disputed election results.

Venezuelan President Maduro has claimed – without evidence – that he won the presidential election. Despite high levels of repression, the opposition is leaning into their hope for change.