Anti-Maduro Rallies Flood Venezuelan Capital
Local Editor
Chanting "this government will fall!" Venezuelan opposition supporters descended on Caracas Thursday to press for a recall referendum this year against unpopular Socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
With thousands of protesters arriving from the Amazon jungle to the western Andes, the opposition coalition was hoping for one million people at rallies across the capital to show anger at Maduro and Venezuela's deep economic crisis.
The president's ratings have halved to under 25 percent as falling oil prices and the failing state-led economy have left the OPEC nation in turmoil.
Triple-digit inflation, a third year of recession, shortages of basics, and long lines at shops have exasperated Venezuelans and underpinned a resounding opposition election win in a December legislative vote.
Maduro, 53, says the opposition-dubbed "Takeover of Caracas" disguises a US-fomented coup plan, akin to a short-lived 2002 putsch against his mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
On-edge authorities arrested some well-known activists in the run-up, with 13 opposition campaigners and supporters still in custody, according to a local rights group.
Extra police and troops were positioned around Caracas, and opposition supporters said there were roadblocks on all major routes, with busses being blocked and traffic crawling.
Fearing violence, especially given 43 deaths around anti-Maduro protests in 2014, many businesses closed and parts of Caracas were deserted in the early morning.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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