Violent scenes erupt on streets as Venezuelans stage massive anti-Maduro march (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
Violent scenes have erupted during demonstrations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Photos and videos shared on social media appear to show show protesters and police clashing on the streets in Caracas, the country’s capital.
Huge crowds gathered in cities across the country following weeks of violent demonstrations that have left a total of eight people dead and inflamed tensions between anti-government activists and security forces.
READ MORE: 3 killed as Venezuelans hit streets in massive anti-Maduro protest (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Riot police fired tear gas at protesters on the western side of Caracas, according to AFP.
2:21PM Efectivos de la GNB hacen retroceder a manifestantes en El Rosal este #20Abrilpic.twitter.com/TjrdNjQDCs
— ReporteroNTN24 (@ReporteroNTN24) April 20, 2017
#CoberturaHP Manifestantes en Chacaito resisten a fuertes gases de la PNB #20Abrilhttps://t.co/k7bb3YgsULpic.twitter.com/GGJETKbifb
— HispanoPost (@hispanopost) April 20, 2017
In the midst of the violent street protests, opposition politician Henrique Capriles has called on the people of Venezuela “to defend the constitution.”
#CoberturaHP Desde la Torre Unión en Chacaíto efectivos de la PNB lanzan lacrimógenas para dispersas a manifestantes #20Abrilpic.twitter.com/bWoWu8K65K
— HispanoPost (@hispanopost) April 20, 2017
Acá estamos junto a un pueblo que clama cambio pacíficamente! Hoy nuevamente demostramos que somos mayoría! #20APuebloEnResistenciapic.twitter.com/KiC3t2FmY6
— Carlos Paparoni (@CarlosPaparoni) April 20, 2017
In a message to supporters Tuesday, Capriles said President Maduro was intent on “dividing and sinking Venezuela.” He urged people from all sides of Venezuelan society to "unite" against his rival’s regime.
Maduro quiere seguir dividiendo y hundiendo a nuestra Venezuela, los venezolanos vamos a seguir… https://t.co/GCoXDQsipt
— Henrique Capriles R. (@hcapriles) April 18, 2017
Calls for Maduro to step down come after three people were killed during similar demonstrations Wednesday. The protest, which was said to have attracted hundreds of thousands of people, was dubbed the “mother of all marches” by the opposition.
A pesar de la represión seguimos en la Autopista Fco. Fajardo defendiendo la democracia #20APuebloEnResistenciapic.twitter.com/khWea9ffFX
— Primero Justicia (@Pr1meroJusticia) April 20, 2017
#CoberturaHP Así están las calles de Chacaíto tras represión de la PNB #20Abrilpic.twitter.com/TwzSuzWpU5
— HispanoPost (@hispanopost) April 20, 2017
#20Abril#AlMomento Asi se unen las marchas de Altamira y Las Mercedes en Chacaíto pic.twitter.com/jjZSzdKydC
— Venezolanos (@venezoIanos) April 20, 2017
In response to the unrest, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez has posted scores of photos to Twitter of people reportedly supporting the country’s president.
Desde GINEBRA, SUIZA #SolidaridadConVenezuelapic.twitter.com/wX5BCQcuZp
— Delcy Rodríguez (@DrodriguezVen) April 20, 2017
Desde BOLIVIA #SolidaridadConVenezuelapic.twitter.com/RAiuutO7Lk
— Delcy Rodríguez (@DrodriguezVen) April 20, 2017
Desde PORTUGAL #SolidaridadConVenezuelapic.twitter.com/blt4zGP1IP
— Delcy Rodríguez (@DrodriguezVen) April 20, 2017
On Thursday, US automaker General Motors (GM) vowed to “take all legal action” after accusing Venezuelan authorities of seizing its plant in the industrial hub of Valencia.
READ MORE: General Motors accuses Venezuela of illegally seizing its car plant