Venezuela anti-govt. protesters hold fresh rallies
Iran Press TV
Sat Mar 8, 2014 11:40PM GMT
Venezuelan anti-government protesters, mostly women, take to the streets of the capital Caracas to express their discontent over the 'scarcity of basic goods and insecurity.'
Over two thousand people, some armed with cooking pots symbolizing food shortages in the country, poured into the streets of Caracas on Saturday, coinciding with International Women's Day.
The demonstration was called by the country's most famous opposition leader and two-time presidential election candidate Henrique Capriles, who lost to President Nicolas Maduro in the 2013 election.
Capriles, however, has distanced himself from 'the exit' movement, which pushes for Maduro's resignation.
He has warned that the conditions are not suitable to "pressure for the government's exit.'
The unrest in Venezuela began on February 4 as a student movement, but has since been joined by other opposition groups, which are still divided.
A prominent opposition figure Hiram Gaviria quit his political party and the National Assembly on Friday. His resignation came after the opposition coalition rejected his proposal to engage in dialog with the government in an effort to put an end to the ongoing protests.
Venezuelan protesters demand the resignation of Maduro, accusing his government of using excessive force against demonstrators.
The opposition has also criticized the Maduro administration for the country's high crime rate and economic hardships, claiming that his policies have led to a shortage of essential goods and high inflation.
Maduro has accused the United States of backing the opposition to launch a coup d'état in the South American country.
Political analysts say although Maduro is faced with the biggest challenge of his presidency, the government will likely withstand the pressure.
MSM/NN/AS
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