Venezuelans Rally for, against Maduro
Local Editor
Rival demonstrations have been staged in Venezuela for and against President Nicolas Maduro as the opposition pushes for a vote on forcing him out of office.
Venezuelans from opposing camps took to the streets in cities across the country on Wednesday.
Despite heavy military presence and reports of rallies going off without incident, police used metal barriers to keep hundreds of demonstrators from the two sides apart.
The Latin American country has been experiencing an acute economic crisis, with shortages of basic goods and medicine.
"I support my President Maduro because we can't return to the past with these leaders who want nothing good for our people," said a pro-government protester in Caracas.
Maduro has accused the United States of plotting against leftist governments, including his, in Latin America.
The latest rallies come as electoral authorities have indicated it was too late to organize a recall vote this year.
Maduro's opponents, meanwhile, are racing to call a referendum before January 10, as a successful recall vote before that deadline would trigger new elections rather than the transfer of power to the incumbent vice president.
Since 2014, Venezuela has been grappling with protests against Maduro, who is under fire by his critics for his handling of the economy.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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