Venezuela鈥檚 President Nicolas Maduro warned Wednesday that he will not hesitate to call on the population for a 鈥渘ew revolution鈥 if forced by what he calls 鈥淣orth American imperialism and fascist criminals.鈥
Maduro鈥檚 comments come amid deadly protests across the country following its disputed presidential election victory, which the US and several other countries have refused to recognize.
鈥淚 would not like to go to other ways of making revolution, I say it solemnly from political power, we want to continue the path that [Hugo] Chavez outlined,鈥 Maduro said in Caracas during a press conference with international media.
鈥淏ut if North American imperialism and fascist criminals force us, my pulse will not tremble to call the people to a new revolution with other characteristics,鈥 he added.
The president鈥檚 comments come just hours after U.S. National Security spokesman John Kirby called on Maduro to 鈥渃ome clean鈥 on Sunday鈥檚 election.
鈥淥ur patience, and that of the international community, is running out on waiting for the Venezuelan electoral authorities to come clean and release the full, detailed data on this election so everyone can see the results,鈥 Kirby told reporters during Wednesday鈥檚 White House press briefing.
Kirby said the US and other nations share 鈥渟erious concerns of the reports of casualties, violence and arrests, including the arrests warrants that Maduro and his representatives issued today (Wednesday) for opposition leaders.鈥
鈥淎longside the international community, we are watching, and we are going to respond accordingly,鈥 Kirby said.
20 'credible reports' of deaths
The Venezuelan leader鈥檚 comments came as Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had received 20 鈥渃redible reports鈥 of deaths connected to the nationwide protests over the election results.
鈥淲e are working to document and corroborate each case,鈥 Juanita Goebertus, HRW Director for the Americas, wrote on X.
Foro Penal, a local NGO, reported on Tuesday that a total of 11 people have died during the protests.
Of those killed, five died in Caracas, two in Zulia and Yaracuy, and one in Aragua and Tachira, the head of Foro Penal, Alfredo Romero, told reporters on Tuesday.
CNN has reached out to Venezuela鈥檚 Public Prosecutor for comment.
So far, the Venezuelan government has not published any information regarding the death of civilians.