Venezuela opposition protesters urge release of prisoners
The supporters of Venezuela’s opposition have held rallies in several cities in the country, including in the capital, Caracas, to call for the release of political prisoners.
The rally in the capital was the largest, with some 3,000 people taking to to the streets on Saturday in response to a call by imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
The 44-year-old has been behind bars since 15 months ago in connection with protests that killed over 40 people and left hundreds injured last spring.
In a short video filmed in the Ramo Verde military prison outside Caracas, Lopez urged people to go out “peacefully” to demand that political prisoners be freed and a firm date be set for the South American country’s legislative elections for this year. The Venezuelan government has not scheduled the polls, yet.
Several other protest rallies were reported in the cities of San Cristobal, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia, Maracay, Maturin, Puerto La Cruz, Puerto Ordaz and San Fernando.
Venezuela witnessed a wave of pro- and anti-government protests for several months last year, with the opposition blaming the administration of President Nicolas Maduro for the high crime rate and economic hardships in the country.
Maduro, however, said the United States was backing the opposition to launch a coup d’état in the South American country.
MR/MKA/HJL
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