Protesters take to Venezuela streets as key politician banned from office
CARACAS: Venezuela protesters marched through Caracas and cities across the country on Saturday, as the government’s ban of Venezuela’s top opposition leader from office breathed life into the disparate opposition and fuelled the first sustained antigovernment demonstrations since 2014.
Thousands of people, some carrying signs reading “No to dictatorship!” and “Capriles for President,” took part in marches against the unpopular leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Saturday’s protests continued a week of unrest sparked by last week’s Supreme Court decision in which it assumed the role of the oppositionled congress. The action was quickly overturned, but the global outcry it sparked galvanized the opposition.
As during recent demonstrations, authorities on Saturday closed a dozen subway stations across Caracas and set up check points on highways leading to the capital.
“The government is afraid. If it were not afraid, it would not close the streets. ... It would not disqualify Capriles,” said 27-year-old lawyer Gikeissy Diaz, adding that half of her graduating class has left the country - as have many young people amid a crippling crisis - and that she is thinking of doing so, too.
Two-time presidential candidate and current Miranda state Governor Henrique Capriles, who was seen by many as the opposition’s best chance in the presidential election scheduled for 2018, was banned on Friday from holding political office for 15 years. The order cited “administrative irregularities” including breaking contracting laws and improper management of donations, according to a copy of the ban.
Venezuela has been pummelled by a brutal economic crisis that has millions skipping meals, unable to afford the soaring prices for basic goods and facing long lines for scarce products.
Government critics say the ban on Capriles is arbitrary and allows the ruling Socialist Party to sideline popular politicians without due process to perpetuate its nearly twodecade-long rule.
After a recall referendum against Maduro was quashed last year and amid fears that next year’s presidential election will not be fair, opposition supporters say they have no option but to take to the street. But after years of marching many are cynical while others are too consumed with trying to find food. — Reuters