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Venezuelans demonstrate against President Maduro | Venezuelans demonstrate against President Maduro |
(4 months later) | |
Thousands of Venezuelans have attended an opposition march in Caracas, blaming government policies for the country's worsening economic crisis. | Thousands of Venezuelans have attended an opposition march in Caracas, blaming government policies for the country's worsening economic crisis. |
Saturday's march was the first attempt by the opposition in months to revive the protest movement that rocked the country last year. | Saturday's march was the first attempt by the opposition in months to revive the protest movement that rocked the country last year. |
Many banged empty pots, in reference to the shortage of many staple foods. | Many banged empty pots, in reference to the shortage of many staple foods. |
Riot police blocked the demonstrators' access to the city centre, but there were no major clashes. | Riot police blocked the demonstrators' access to the city centre, but there were no major clashes. |
Opposition politician Maria Corina Machado said Mr Maduro "must step aside now, so the Venezuelan people can stand united again". | Opposition politician Maria Corina Machado said Mr Maduro "must step aside now, so the Venezuelan people can stand united again". |
Demonstrators voiced discontent at high inflation, crime and shortages. | Demonstrators voiced discontent at high inflation, crime and shortages. |
"There are food shortages, shortages even in drugstores, prices have gone up across the board, meat costs twice what it did recently," architect Jose Salinas told AFP news agency. | "There are food shortages, shortages even in drugstores, prices have gone up across the board, meat costs twice what it did recently," architect Jose Salinas told AFP news agency. |
Despite the deepening crisis the crowds were smaller than in previous demonstrations. | Despite the deepening crisis the crowds were smaller than in previous demonstrations. |
Venezuela - a major oil producer - has been heavily affected by the fall in oil prices on international markets. | Venezuela - a major oil producer - has been heavily affected by the fall in oil prices on international markets. |
'Enough of sabotage' | 'Enough of sabotage' |
On Friday, President Maduro called on the National Assembly to open an inquiry into what he described as "an economic war" waged against his socialist government. | On Friday, President Maduro called on the National Assembly to open an inquiry into what he described as "an economic war" waged against his socialist government. |
He accused four supermarket chains of hoarding goods and smuggling items out of the country. | He accused four supermarket chains of hoarding goods and smuggling items out of the country. |
"This week I will produce the evidence," Mr Maduro said. | "This week I will produce the evidence," Mr Maduro said. |
"For many years they have been hiding goods from the Venezuelan people. They have a system to spread rumours and create problems, anxiety and queues," he added. | "For many years they have been hiding goods from the Venezuelan people. They have a system to spread rumours and create problems, anxiety and queues," he added. |
"Enough of sabotage against the people!" | "Enough of sabotage against the people!" |
The Venezuelan economy officially entered recession in December. | The Venezuelan economy officially entered recession in December. |
Figures released by the central bank showed that GDP declined by 2.3% in the third quarter of 2014, after contracting by 4.8% and 4.9% respectively in the first and the second quarters. | Figures released by the central bank showed that GDP declined by 2.3% in the third quarter of 2014, after contracting by 4.8% and 4.9% respectively in the first and the second quarters. |
Inflation in Venezuela reached 63.6% in the 12 months to November, one of the highest rates in the world. | Inflation in Venezuela reached 63.6% in the 12 months to November, one of the highest rates in the world. |
Mr Maduro has accused the United States of flooding the markets with oil as part of an economic war against Russia. | Mr Maduro has accused the United States of flooding the markets with oil as part of an economic war against Russia. |
Are you in Venezuela? Are you affected by the issues over which people marched? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to talk further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | Are you in Venezuela? Are you affected by the issues over which people marched? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to talk further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |