The public prosecution service said a policeman had died from a gunshot suffered during a protest Wednesday in the western city of Carabobo, bringing the number killed in just over a month of unrest to 33. With tension at a boiling point, rumors broke out online that jailed opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez had died in prison. The government released a video of Lopez denying the claims.
The opposition accused Maduro of trying to strengthen his grip on power and delay elections by launching constitutional reforms. Daniel Ascanio, a student leader from Simon Bolivar University, told reporters that students will march from campuses on Thursday around the country to demand "democracy and freedom." "We will be joined by unions, homemakers, and lawmakers. All sectors of society will mobilize to send a message to Maduro."
The opposition blames the president for food and medicine shortages afflicting the oil-rich country. They want a vote on removing him from office. The president, elected in 2013, says the crisis is a US-backed capitalist conspiracy and vows to continue his side's socialist "revolution." The opposition has accused authorities of violently repressing protests. The government says the opposition is fomenting violence.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2017