Maduro: Children used in protests
Venezuela Prez says he’ll ask Pope to intervene to protect kids
Caracas, June 12: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday that he would ask Pope Francis to persuade opponents that children should not be made part of violent protests, as both sides of the conflict seek help from the Catholic Church.
Young teenagers wearing face masks and throwing rocks are a common sight at anti-government protests that have roiled the capital, Caracas, since April. At least six of the 67 people killed in the protests were under 18.
Mr Maduro said Opposition parties were “training children for terrorist groups,” using his preferred terminology for the protesters he says are intent on overthrowing the government of the oilproducing nation.
“I am going to ask Pope Francis to help us so the opposition end the violence, but more than anything to stop looking for children to involve in violent acts,” he said on a television broadcast.
Demanding that delayed elections be held and angry at shortages of food and medicine, thousands of mostly peaceful protesters have been on the streets since April. Smaller groups throwing rocks and petrol bombs have been met with tear gas grenades, water cannons and other riotcontrol methods.
Both sides have turned to the Vatican to mediate a solution, but Churchmediated talks in 2016 quickly broke down.
Relations with Venezuela’s Catholic hierarchy and the government have become strained, with a spate of violence at churches.