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                      Venezuela Braces for Rival Protests

   by VOA News

   Venezuelans are bracing for trouble as both government supporters and
   opponents of leftist President Nicolas Maduro prepare for mass rallies
   in a country that has been roiled by violence in recent days.
   Henrique Capriles, governor of Miranda state and the main opposition
   leader, said Saturday's anti-government rallies were intended as
   peaceful protests to show public discontent over high crime, food
   shortages and other problems facing Venezuela.
   Pro-government "Chavista women" are also scheduled to march "against
   fascism" on Saturday in the capital, Caracas. While pro- and
   anti-government groups will march in a different part of town, violence
   could erupt if they meet at any point.
   President Maduro has said the wave of protests and violent clashes that
   began earlier this month were part of a right-wing attempt to topple
   his socialist government.
   Political violence is blamed for at least eight deaths and more than
   100 injuries on both sides.
   Late Friday, Maduro invited U.S. President Barack Obama to meet him for
   talks and condemned remarks by Obama's top diplomat, John Kerry, as
   "arrogant" and "insolent."
   The U.S. secretary of state said earlier Friday that Venezuela's
   "unacceptable" use of force and "judicial intimidation" against
   anti-government protesters would only increase the likelihood of
   violence. Kerry did not respond to Maduro's call for high-level talks.
   Maduro has accused the United States and international media outlets of
   plotting to overthrow his government. He revoked the accreditation of
   CNN reporters covering protests and ordered them to leave the country.
   The protests began February 2 in the western city of San Cristobal, led
   by students angry over the soaring crime rate. Protests quickly spread
   to Caracas and other major cities, and intensified over the past two
   weeks.
   Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, but under Maduro
   and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, the economy has declined,
   street crime is common, and corruption is widespread.
   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
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   857141.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/venezuela-braces-for-rival-protests/1857141.html