SALINAS, Ecuador (Reuters)

SALINAS, Ecuador (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido left on Sunday from the Ecuadorian coastal town of Salinas after announcing his intention to return home to lead new protests against President Nicolas Maduro, though his route back remains unknown.

Guaido, who has spent the past few days touring Latin American nations to gain support, departed Salinas aboard an Ecuadorian air force plane headed for the port city of Guayaquil after meeting Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno on Saturday, Reuters witnesses said.

"Thank you to President Lenin for his deep support to our cause," Guaido said on Twitter.