CARACAS, Venezuela -- A group of 14 military officers -- at least four of them accused of leading an April coup -- urged Venezuelans Tuesday to rebel against President Hugo Chavez by protesting across the country.

The officers called on soldiers and citizens to join them in an impromptu protest in an eastern Caracas plaza, which they declared a "territory liberated by the armed forces." Soldiers and civilians outside the capital city were also asked to protest.

"We declare ourselves in legitimate disobedience and don't recognize the current regime," said army Gen. Enrique Medina Gomez, reading a statement on national television. "We call on all components of the armed forces to accompany us on this mission."

The surprise announcement came a day after Venezuela's opposition staged a costly general strike and called for a Dec. 4 referendum on Chavez's rule, citing instability and an economy in recession.