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Massive Rallies Support Venezuelan Government

Massive Rallies Support Venezuelan Government
folder_openLatin America access_time7 years ago
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Local Editor

Thousands of people took to the streets of Venezuelan capital of Caracas for a third mass rally this week to show support for President Nicolas Maduro, who recently warned opponents against breaking the law.

Massive Rallies Support Venezuelan Government

Addressing supporters at the rally on Friday, Maduro described the opposition-led strike this week - after authorities blocked a bid by dissident lawmakers to hold a referendum on removing him from power - as a failure while insisting that the Latin American country has "triumphed" against the US-backed efforts to destabilize it.

"The strike called by the fascist right has been a failure. They failed. Peace, work and coexistence have triumphed. Venezuela has triumphed," Maduro said at the demonstration.

The remarks came in response to a low participation in a 12-hour strike called by the country's opposition Democratic Unity coalition on Wednesday after authorities foiled its push for a referendum to oust the socialist president.

The move triggered anti-government protest rallies attended by hundreds of pro-opposition forces as dissident lawmakers voted on Tuesday to take legal action against the Venezuelan leader, whom they accuse of violating the constitution.

Maduro, however, described the effort as a "political trial" and said anyone who violated the constitution by launching it should be jailed.

Under Venezuela's constitution, a recall referendum can be held once a president has served half of his term in office and the requisite steps are met.

So far, the opposition has only completed the first step of the process.

A total of 97 people were reportedly detained during Wednesday's nationwide rallies, including seven police officers accused of rights abuses, judicial authorities said.

Nearly 82 people were also injured that day, including 26 security officers.

Meanwhile, Maduro also announced measures to offset economic hardship - mostly caused by falling oil prices - by vowing to implement a 40-percent hike of the minimum wage. It was the fourth increment this year.

Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela is suffering a third year of recession, with many skipping meals due to shortages and soaring prices.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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