Venezuela street rallies show deep divide in power struggle

[TomSea]

Venezuela street rallies show deep divide in power struggle
By Scott Smith | AP
April 6

CARACAS, Venezuela — Rival political factions took to the streets across Venezuela on Saturday in a mounting struggle for control of the crisis-wracked nation, where U.S.- backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó is attempting to oust socialist President Nicólas Maduro.

It was the first march Guaidó has led since Maduro loyalists stripped him of legal protections he’s granted as a congressman, opening a path to prosecute and possibly arrest him for allegedly violating the constitution.

The rallies also follow crippling power failures that left most of the country scrambling in the dark for days and without running water or phone service, which Maduro blamed on “terrorists” acts launched by political opponents.

Speaking before several thousand people who packed a broad Caracas avenue, Guaidó urged them to stay united and to keep up pressure until Maduro leaves power.

Read more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuelans-take-the-streets-as-power-struggle-intensifies/2019/04/06/933759a8-5881-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html