Venezuela, La Violencia Continúa: Police Clash with Anti-Government Protesters

The government said the protesters wanted to “mar the lives of Venezuelans”

Riot police in Venezuela have clashed with anti-government demonstrators who were protesting against the arrest of two opposition mayors.

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Hundreds of demonstrators in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, threw stones and sticks at the police. They responded with tear gas and water cannon. The clashes came a day after Daniel Ceballos and Enzo Scarano were detained over their alleged role in weeks of unrest that has left 31 people dead.

“The youth today have decided they’re ready to give up their lives for the country, for freedom.”

— Juan Requesens, a student leader at the protest

The government of President Nicolas Maduro has been the target of near-daily protests over the high murder rate, skyrocketing inflation and shortages of basic goods. He has blamed the violence on “fascist groups”.

One protester said they were ready to give up their lives for the country

Juan Requesens, a student leader at the protest, said the two mayors were “victims of persecution, abuse, and wrongful arrest”.

Another demonstrator, Eusebio Acosta, said they were marching to “rebuild democracy” in Venezuela.

“The youth today have decided they’re ready to give up their lives for the country, for freedom,” he continued.

Dozens of people, both supporters and opponents of the government, have died in the protests

Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez tried to distance the government from the arrests…Read the rest…

BBC News