Maduro opponents march after Venezuela referendum sunk

CARACAS (Reuters) - Led by women dressed in white, several thousand Venezuelans marched through Caracas yesterday in the first of what the opposition hopes will be growing protests against the quashing of a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro.

The opposition coalition, seeking to end 17 years of socialism in the South American OPEC nation, says this week’s suspension of its drive for a plebiscite against the unpopular leader shows Venezuela has abandoned democracy.

“We’re here to demand respect for the constitution, for Venezuelans to have elections to escape dictatorship,” said human resources worker Nayiber Bracho, 35, marching under a hot sun in a crowd with banners, whistles and pets.

The marchers closed one lane of a major highway.

They were headed by Lilian Tintori and Patricia Gutierrez, both wives of jailed political leaders and advocates of hardline tactics against the government.

“There’s no obstacle that can defeat Venezuelan mothers, fighting for the future of their children,” said Tintori, who has called for civil disobedience in Venezuela, saying democratic options are lacking.

Despite sitting on the world’s biggest oil reserves, Venezuela is undergoing an unprecedented economic crisis, with many people skipping meals amid shortages and soaring prices.