Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido urged his supporters to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services.
Thousands of opposition supporters are expected to march through the capital Caracas from 11:00 am on Saturday as Venezuela’s power struggle is exacerbated by massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies.
Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said in a Twitter message on Friday: “Let’s remain firm in the streets, this fight is for the lives of all Venezuelans.”
Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage on recent blackouts that deprived millions of power, has also called a pro-government march in Caracas, urging his supporters onto the streets for a “March in defence of peace.”
Guaido said earlier this week he feared abduction by government agents after pro-Maduro lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday and authorized the country’s top court to prosecute him for proclaiming himself president.
The United States, among the first countries to recognize Guaido when the National Assembly leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, meanwhile kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down.
Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela’s state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba.
“The United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy,” Pence said in a speech in Houston, Texas. “Venezuela’s oil belongs to the Venezuelan people,” he said.
“Those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America,” he said.