Clashes rage in Caracas as political crisis continues
CARACAS: Protesters clashed with police in Venezuela on Tuesday as the opposition mobilised against moves to tighten President Nicolas Maduro’s grip on power and vowed to continue demonstrations.
Nine protesters were injured, including one who was shot in the leg, said Ramon Muchacho, mayor of one of Caracas’ districts. None of the injuries were life-threatening, he said.
Protesters hurled stones at riot police, who fired tear gas as they blocked the demonstrators from advancing along Libertador Avenue through central Caracas, where pro-government activists also marched.
An estimated 1,000 people tried to march to the National Assembly to demand the government restore powers to its opposition majority. Lawmakers were among the marchers.
Mr Maduro said the demonstration was aimed at fostering violence in the country.
“Today, they tried to fill the streets of Venezuela with violence and blood,” said the president, speaking from the southern state Apure. “I can say now ... that peace triumphed in Caracas and in Venezuela.”
The opposition called for new protests today.
“We’re going to continue to fill the streets to defend democracy and the right to vote,” Julio Borges, National Assembly president and a long-time opposition leader, told reporters.
The majority opposition also announced it was to take steps yesterday in the legislature to fire Supreme Court justices.
Supreme Court president Maikel Moreno dismissed their chance of success, insisting the legislature “lacks legality and legitimacy”.
A move by the top court last week to take over the legislature’s powers sparked international condemnation.
The US and other powers backed the opposition’s calls for the government to allow timely elections and release political prisoners. The court later backtracked on its move but the opposition pressed ahead with calls for demonstrations.
The head of the Organisation of American States, Luis Almagro, condemned the crackdown “in the strongest terms”, branding it “brutal repression”.
“I am once again obliged to demand that the Venezuelan government immediately stop violating the rule of law, re-establish democracy, recognise the civil and political liberties of the people and immediately end this repression,” Mr Almagro said.