Protesting pensioners clash with Venezuelan riot police

ELDERLY protesters threw punches and yelled curses at riot police blocking the latest demonstration in Venezuala against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government.

Riot police with helmets and shields used pepper gas several times to control the crowd as hundreds of pensioners jostled against security lines to attempt a march from a square in Caracas, the country’s capital.

“Respect the elderly,” shouted one bearded man, punching and swearing at an officer on the front line.

Since launching protests against Mr Maduro in early April, Venezuela’s opposition has sought to vary tactics by staging silent and candlelit marches, for instance, and rallies for women, musicians and medics.

Each time, the ruling Socialist Party has tried to match them. On Friday, it organised its own rival old people’s march next to the presidential palace.

At least 39 people have died in the unrest since April, including protest- ers, government sympathisers, bystanders and security forces. Hundreds have also been hurt and arrested.

Decrying Mr Maduro as a dictator who has wrecked the economy, opponents are seeking elections, foreign humanitarian aid, freedom for jailed activists and autonomy for the opposition-controlled legislature.

Mr Maduro, the successor to Hugo Chavez, says his foes are seeking a coup with the support of the United States.

Chanting “Freedom!” and “Down with Maduro!”, the elderly protesters were blocked from their intended destination, the state ombudsman’s office, by police with armoured vehicles.

An official listened briefly to their grievances on the street instead.

The crowd, including plenty of octogenarians plus a nun and one whitehaired man dressed as Santa, sang Venezuela’s national anthem in front of the security cordon.

Opposition leaders joined them, hugging and linking arms with the pensioners.