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The Guardian

Supporters of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his US-backed challenger, Juan Guaido, returned to the streets again on Saturday amid rising fears the political crisis could be entering a turbulent new phase.
After a strained 48 hours for Venezuela in which almost the entire country was affected by a blackout thousands of demonstrators turned out to champion their respective leaders, both of whom claim the presidency.
“I’m here to support President Maduro … he is the constitutional president of our Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” said María Reyes, a 52-year-old housewife who was among the crowds at a pro-Maduro rally in central Caracas.
Reyes said she was there to defend Hugo Chavez’s political heir and denounce “the impostor Guaido” as a threat to peace.

Experts blame the massive power cut on poor maintenance, incompetence and corruption. But Maduro’s administration claims it was part of a U S plot to destroy Chavez’s leftist Bolivarian revolution and force him from power.
Reyes said she believed that version but was also willing to countenance opposition claims the blackout was caused by government failings. “Perhaps it was a lack of maintenance. We aren’t ruling any hypothesis out,” she said.
Oskar Oramas, a 24-year-old student activist for Maduro’s ruling Socialist party, said he was protesting about the “escalation of persecution” against his government by the US.
“They want to turn us into another Syria and we will not allow this to happen,” one activist shouted from a red sound truck bearing the slogan: ‘Here you don’t speak badly of Chavez!’
More sanctions against Venezuela ‘will only bring law of jungle’
In cities across Venezuela, members of the opposition poured on to the streets to demand political change amid fears Maduro’s security forces would seek to put down anti-government protests with force.
“They think they can scare us today, but they are going to get a surprise from the people and from the streets,” Guaido tweeted as the demonstrations began. He is recognised by most western governments as Venezuela’s legitimate interim president.
In a video message to supporters, Guaido added: “They will not get us off the streets until we achieve our liberty.”
Winston Flores, an opposition politician, told reporters: “Caracas and the whole of Venezuela is with Juan Guaido.” Around him crowds chanted the Obama-era catchphrase his campaign has adopted. “¡Sí se puede!” “Yes we can!”

“They have destroyed a whole country,” demonstrator Jorge Lulo, a psychologist , told the Efecto Cocuyo website as he marched carrying his country’s red, yellow and blue tricolour. “We are fighting to escape from tyranny.”
The latest chapter of Venezuela’s long-running political crisis began on 23 January when Guaido, a young opposition leader, declared himself the legitimate interim president.
He was quickly recognised by regional powers including Brazil, Colombia and the US, and anti-government demonstrations ensued, leaving many convinced Maduro’s fall was imminent.
Saboteurs blamed as power cut plunges Venezuela into darkness
Those predictions did not come to pass, however, and the opposition challenge appeared to be losing steam. Last week, however, Guaido made his return to Venezuela after conducting a tour of South America in violation of a travel ban imposed by Maduro’s government.
Efforts to unseat Maduro may also be re-energised by this week’s power cut which left hospitals and homes without power, and reinforced opposition to him.

On Saturday, anti-Maduro marches were also reported in cities across the country including Barcelona, Barquisimeto, Coro, La Asuncion and Puerto Ordaz.
The power outage, which continues to blight large swathes of Venezuela, has also sparked fears that the South American country could enter a period of disorder.
“It’s a tinderbox, and Maduro’s survival thus far gives a false sense of stability,” said Benjamin Gedan, the national security council’s Venezuela adviser during the Obama presidency. “A sustained blackout could … spark widespread dissent.”


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Venezuela

Supporters of Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido protest in streets of Venezuela

Opposition supporters clash with police in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela March 9, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrates carrying images of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) and Venezuelan Liberator Simon Bolivar in Caracas on March 9, 2019. - Thousands of Venezuelans are expected to protest once again Saturday as opposition leader Juan Guaido cranks up the pressure on beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro -- in the midst of a sweeping electricity blackout that has crippled the crisis-wracked country. (Photo by Cristian Hernandez / AFP)

Opposition supporters clash with police in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela March 9, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognised as the country's rightful interim ruler, speaking at a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China warns more sanctions against Venezuela ‘will only bring the law of the jungle’

Beijing says Nicolas Maduro’s place as Venezuela’s president is a matter for its people. Photo: Reuters

TOPSHOT - People cross a street during a power cut in Caracas on March 7, 2019. - The government of Nicolas Maduro denounced a "sabotage" against the main electric power dam in the country, after a massive blackout left Caracas and vast regions of Venezuela in the darkness. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)

‘Electrical war’: saboteurs blamed as massive power cut in Venezuela leaves millions in the dark

A man looks at his mobile phone during the blackout in Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: Reuters

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a meeting with workers at Complejo Siderurgico de Guayana in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela March 6, 2019. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

General view of the city during a blackout in Caracas, Venezuela March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Commuters unable to use the subway due to a partial power cut, flock to the streets in Caracas on March 7, 2019. - The government of Nicolas Maduro denounced a "sabotage" against the main electric power dam in the country, after a massive blackout left Caracas and vast regions of Venezuela in the darkness. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)

View of the Chacao neighborhood during a power cut in Caracas on March 7, 2019. - The government of Nicolas Maduro denounced a "sabotage" against the main electric power dam in the country, after a massive blackout left Caracas and vast regions of Venezuela in the darkness. (Photo by Matias DELACROIX / AFP)

Venezuela expels German envoy Martin Kriener for backing opposition leader Juan Guaido as US tightens sanctions on President Nicolas Maduro

FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Germany's new ambassador to Venezuela Daniel Martin Kriener after receiving his diplomatic credentials during a ceremony at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela September 10, 2018. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

German ambassador to Venezuela Daniel Kriener, Germany’s ambassador to Venezuela, speaking with the news media last month. Venezuela ordered his expulsion on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

UN human rights chief says US sanctions have worsened Venezuela crisis as Nicolas Maduro and Juna Guaido compete for control of country

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Photo: AFP

epa07405061 Karen Pierce (L), the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Nations, United States Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams (C) and Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Belgium's Ambassador to the UN, vote on a draft resolution put forward by the United States in response to the situation in Venezuela during an United Nations Security Council at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 28 February 2019. The council was expected to vote on two resolutions related to Venezuela, one sponsored by the United States and one sponsored by Russia. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 11, 2018 Chilean new President Sebastian Pinera (L) is greeted by outgoing President Michelle Bachelet during his inauguration ceremony at the Congress in Valparaiso, Chile. - Chile's President Sebastian Pinera sharply criticized his leftist predecessor and UN rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet on March 03, 2019, for failing to condemn Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro for human rights violations. (Photo by CLAUDIO REYES / AFP)

Supporters of Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido protest in streets of Venezuela

Fears grow that the political crisis could be entering a turbulent new phase