Armed members of a Venezuelan civilian militia marched on the streets of Caracas on Tuesday in an event that was organised by the country's government.

They were seen travelling through the capital's main streets while holding weapons and chanting slogans including "dear fatherland, yours is my soul, yours is my love."

The nation's defense minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez addressed members of the crowd during the march.

He told them that "preparedness, dear comrades, brothers and sisters, is about unity."

"We are not playing around," he added.

AP video by Juan Arraez