Three Venezuelan air force generals accused of plotting a coup against the government of President Nicolas Maduro were arrested on Monday night.

The unidentified generals were in contact with opposition politicians and "were trying to get the air force to rise up against the legitimately elected government," President Maduro told a meeting of foreign ministers from the Union of South American Nations.

"This group has direct links with sectors of the opposition and they were saying that this week was the decisive week," he explained.

According to the president, the coup plot involved creating "psychological" chaos through attacking electricity and other services and then striking against the government.

Mr Maduro said the authorities had been tipped off by young officers who had been approached to join the revolt.

The generals have been summoned before a court martial, the president said.

It is the first time in 15 years of socialist government that generals have been arrested for a coup plot.

Mr Maduro earlier said he had fended off a coup bid that was aided or supported by
the United States and other "fascists."

In a further measure against the increasingly rebellious opposition, the mayor of San Cristobal was sentenced to a year in prison. Daniel Ceballos was convicted of failing to prevent violence and the blockading of streets.

San Diego mayor Enzo Scarano was also arrested, tried and sentenced to 10 months in prison last week.

And opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez is awaiting trial, accused of instigating violence.