He says that he deserted when he was ordered to fire on unarmed protesters.

Unarmed protesters came under fire from tanks and machineguns.

He insisted that the authorities, accused of using warplanes, tanks and artillery against unarmed protesters, had not unleashed their real firepower.

Outside its walls thousands of unarmed protesters who have never known another leader are adamant that they will not move until he goes.

Pro-government gangs known as colectivos are reported to have fired on unarmed protesters, and videos have been published purporting to show government forces doing the same.