Gunshots fired at anti-maduro march led by Juan Guaido
CARACAS: Socialist hardliners in Venezuela opened fire during a march headed by Juan Guaido, injuring a 16-year-old demonstrator and adding to tensions in the country as the opposition leader seeks to revive his campaign to oust Nicolas Maduro.
A photo of the confrontation shows a masked man brandishing a pistol pointed toward a group of opposition activists, including Guaido, who can be seen staring down the unidentified man.
The confusing incident on Saturday in the central city of Barquisimeto is believed to be the first time pro-government vigilantes known as colectivos have aimed a weapon at Guaidó, who the US and more than 50 other countries recognize as Venezuela’s rightful leader following Maduro’s re-election in 2018 in a race the opposition says was marred by irregularities.
The city’s former mayor and opposition activist Alfredo Ramos said the marchers led by Guaidó were “ambushed”by about 200 colectivo members and government security forces loyal to Maduro.
Ramos said worse bloodshed was avoided because the unidentified man did not open fire at that moment.
But later, as the crowd swelled, a 16-year-old demonstrator was shot in the leg and several others were roughed up as the colectivos harassed participants.
“Courage and strength,” Guaidó said in a conversation with the injured activist that was videotaped by his aides while their caravan headed back to Caracas.
“We’re going to achieve freedom for our country.”
Later, the opposition leader reiterated a call for supporters to take to the streets on March 10.
Guaido said he could have been killed during a shooting attack.
“The dictatorship could have killed me today, without a doubt,” Guaido said in a video published to social media after the march.
“They shot... but that is not going to push us back,” he added.
“It’s time to increase decisively and without fear the actions and pressure on the tyranny headed by Maduro,” he said in a statement.