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Updated November 17th, 2019 at 20:23 IST

Venezuela: Opposition leader leads peaceful anti-Maduro march in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó led a peaceful protest against President Nicolás Maduro on November 16, thousands of protesters flooded the streets.

Reported by: Aanchal Nigam
Venezuela
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Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó led a peaceful protest against President Nicolás Maduro on November 16. Thousands of protesters flooded the streets in an attempt to resume the campaign ousting President Maduro from power. The opposition leader urged the demonstrators to remain on the streets in the coming days indicating towards the recent upheaval in Bolivia where the protesters prompted the resignation of Maduro's ally, Evo Morales. According to  Guaidó, people might lose the fight if they fail to continue the protests. 

“If we stay at home, we will lose”, Guaidó said before marching peacefully. “Today, tomorrow and Monday, we will be in the streets”.

Read - People Of Venezuela Protest Against Socialist Repression

Crowds lacked in size

Even though the number of people that Guaidó addressed in Caracas was greater than they had been in several months, the crowd still lacked the size and effectiveness of demonstrations that took place in January. In January, Guaidó declared himself the President of Venezuela saying President Maduro had 'usurped' power and also violated the constitution of the country by starting a second term. According to a geopolitical risk analyst and teacher at Northwestern University's Kellog School of Management, Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez the rally led by  Guaidó was not as large as the opponents of Maduro had hoped for especially at the time when the region has prevailed mass urban protests. 

Read - Venezuelan Opposition Party Says Armed Men Raid Its Office

Peaceful rally

The rally was carried out peacefully and the government law enforcement was standing on the perimeter dressed in riot gear with firing any tear gas as opposed to previous protests in Caracas. A retired office worker, Deborah Angarita who also took part in the march acknowledged that the crowd was not large, however, she will continue to take part in the protests despite the government's effort to contain their resistance. Angarita remained adamant that the protesters will stay on the streets until the current regime leaves the office. An owner of shops closed both her electronics outlets in order to take part in the rally and reportedly said that she wants the world to take note of the crisis prevailing in the nation. The United Nations Human Rights office has also urged the Venezuelan authorities to let the rallies take place peacefully without any acts of violence. 

Read - 'Bolivia To Expel Venezuelan Diplomats': Foreign Minister Karen Longaric

Read - Venezuela’s Guaidó Urges Nation To Back Into The Streets

(With AP inputs)

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Published November 17th, 2019 at 17:56 IST

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