Opposition, socialists march in Venezuela on Jimenez’s 59th anniversary

World Today

Venezuela’s opposition and its socialist government both took to the streets across Venezuela on Monday.

The opposition marked the 59th anniversary since Dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez was ousted from his position, and the opposition now demands early elections to push President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The government pushes back against the opposition.

CGTN’s Juan Carlos Lamas reports from Caracas. Follow Juan Carlos Rivas Lamas on Twitter @JuanRivasLamas

Government supporters turned out in full force in the capital to show they’re behind President Nicolas Maduro – on a day generally marked more by opposition forces – for establishing democracy in Venezuela – by toppling military dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez 59 years ago.

Maduro’s supporters came from every state in the country. They said he’s the victim of an international conspiracy and that the “revolution” started by Hugo Chavez is thriving in Venezuela.

“We took to the streets to support everything that this Government is doing to improve the country’s economic and health situation,” said Alejandro Navarro an oil worker in Venezuela.

But, not everyone agrees. The Venezuelan opposition was out in full force as well, with organized marches in every state.

They’re demanding early presidential elections and governors’ elections that were scheduled to take place in December.

“The differences between politicians are solved by voting, and that’s why people are on the streets today, we are demanding elections, as we are sure that the worst thing Venezuela has seen so far is President Nicolas Maduro,” Jose Manuel Moreno, the Deputy of the National Assembly said.

These people are also protesting the extreme shortages that have left supermarkets without food and other basic staples, as well as pharmacies without medicines-conditions brought on, they say, by President Maduro.

Once more the national police stopped people from reaching the headquarters of the electoral council.

The electoral board called off a recall referendum to oust president Nicolas Maduro this year, Opposition leaders say they’ll continue taking their protest to the streets until the voices of millions of Venezuelans who want a change are heard.