Anti-Maduro protests rage as OAS meets on Venezuela crisis

CARACAS, (Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces used water cannons and teargas to disperse tens of thousands of opposition protesters heading toward the foreign ministry yesterday as the Organization of American States held another meeting on the crisis.

Two months of protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government have convulsed the South American OPEC nation, with around 60 people killed in the unrest.

Opposition supporters demanding elections, freedom for jailed activists, and foreign humanitarian aid, marched onto Caracas’ main highway aiming to reach the ministry downtown.

But as happens near daily with rallies trying to reach government offices, National Guard soldiers blocked their way and drove them back with volleys of gas and shoots of water.

Masked youths hurled stones and Molotov cocktails in return.

“It’s always the same. We set off peacefully and they attack us. We have to respond; we’re human beings,” said law student Brian Suarez, 20, holding a homemade wooden shield depicting a shooting target with the faces of Maduro and other officials.

“Here are the faces of the people who have led us to ruin,” he added, as some women handed food, shoes and other supplies to the young men battling the security forces.

With international pressure mounting on Maduro, foreign ministers from the 34-nation OAS bloc met in Washington to debate the situation in Venezuela.