Mass protest in Venezuela demands Maduro’s ouster
Lawmakers plan to open political trial against president.
Anti-government protesters jammed the streets of Venezuela’s capital Wednesday on the heels of a decision by congress to open a political trial against President Nicolas Maduro, whose allies have blocked moves for a recall election.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators shut down Caracas’ main highway, and schools and shops were closed as protesters occupied other key points around the city to demand the ouster of Maduro, who many Venezuelans blame for triple-digit inflation and shortages of food, medicines and other basic goods.
Protesters also rallied in other major cities in what opposition leaders were calling “the takeover of Venezuela.”
“Maduro has shown how scared he is that the people will express themselves,” opposition leader Henrique Capriles said.
The protests come after electoral authorities blocked a recall campaign against the deeply unpopular president last week. The face-off escalated Tuesday when the opposition-led legislature voted to put Maduro on trial, accusing him of effectively staging a coup.
Opposition legislators argued that Venezuela’s leader has effectively abandoned the presidency by neglecting his job. Several also questioned whether he was a dual Colombian national and therefore ineligible to hold Venezuela’s highest office — an old, unproven claim.
Government supporters staged a much smaller protest in the heart of Caracas.
Opposition leaders ended Wednesday’s national day of protest with call for a general strike Friday. They also threatened to march on the presidential palace in the heart of the city Nov. 3 if the government continues to block the recall effort.
The opposition has not been allowed to protest in front of the presidential palace since a massive march there helped precipitate a short-lived coup against former President Hugo Chavez in 2002.
Local news media reported the use of tear gas and clashes with police in provincial capitals that left several wounded. In a video from the border state of Tachira, a young man shouted in the face of soldier in riot gear maintaining a line against a crowd of masked protester.
“I’m going hungry! If you’re going to shoot me because I’m hungry, shoot me,” the protester said.
Some said they had been unable to get to Caracas on Wednesday as the government shut down roads and metro stations.
Despite the crisis gripping the country, the protest had a generally light, carnival-like atmosphere, with young people playing instruments, and sitting causally on the city’s main highway. One student protester dressed as Lady Justice, with a scale and white blindfold.