The Venezuelan opposition will hold what it is expected to be the largest demonstration against Nicolás Maduro’s government, who will respond with a massive mobilization of supporters. This situation has sparked fears of new outbreaks of violence.
Maduro will face the sixth demonstration organized by the opposition to demand general elections and respect for the autonomy of Parliament, the only one of the public powers that is not controlled by the ruling party.
The previous protests have ended in battles between security forces and demonstrators: 5 people have died, dozens have been injured and more than 200 people have been arrested.
The opposition set 26 exit points for the demonstration and they aim to reach the Ombudsman’s Office, which is located in the center of Caracas, a Chavist bastion. The officials said that, as always, they will not let them enter that area, where they will march.
All Caracas will be taken by the revolutionary forces. Please, do not disturb us,
warned Diosdado Cabello, one of the Chavism most powerful leaders.
However, tension is growing: The government contends that the opposition promotes “terrorism” and violence to carry out a coup d’état. His opponents accuse it of repression and torture.
Due to this situation, 11 Latin American countries asked Venezuela to “guarantee” the right to peacefully demonstrate and they lamented the deaths that occurred in previous protests.
The protests erupted on April 1st after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) assumed the parliamentary functions and removed the legislators’ immunity.
Although the ruling was partially reversed after strong international pressure, the opposition regained popular support.