Opposition Meetings In Caracas Held Without Incidents, Detentions

CARACAS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th March, 2019) A few rallies of Venezuelan opposition supporters were held on Saturday in eastern Caracas without incidents or detentions, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.

Despite the fact that it was a day off, residents of Caracas did not show any enthusiasm toward the call of the opposition to joint the rallies against the authorities. The number of protesters was small, while the largest meeting was held in the municipality of Chacao in eastern Caracas near the UN office. According to the police, about 200-300 people took part in it.

People started to gather on the street at around 05:00 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT). Some people came with children, who were playing hide and seek against the background of political slogans that were voiced from an improvised tribune. There were even those who came with their pets. The rally was held in a peaceful atmosphere with activists and lawmakers discussing the current political crisis and without expressing any harsh criticism in relation to the current government.

The average age of the rally participants was 40-50 years. A local police officer told Sputnik that the participants did not commit any unlawful acts, and therefore the involvement of security forces was not required.

Rallies in other parts of the city, according to the police, were even smaller usually comprising a few dozens of people. Activists started to go home after the sunset.

The situation in Caracas remains calm, and in a number of areas the work on the restoration of electricity supply is nearing the completion. All metro lines operate in a normal mode. The situation with water supply is still difficult, especially in the so-called barrios - the quarters of the capital, where the poorest people live. The Venezuelan authorities promise to solve this problem as soon as possible.

The situation in Venezuela escalated in January of this year when head of the opposition controlled National Assembly Juan Guaido challenged the presidency of Nicolas Maduro. Guaido then proclaimed himself 'interim president' and was almost immediately supported by numerous Latin American countries as well as many EU states and the United States.

Russia, China, Turkey, Cuba and Iran have stood by legitimately-elected Maduro and warned Washington and its allies against "meddling" in Venezuelan affairs.