- Title: Opposition leader Capriles says protests to continue for new elections
- Date: 24th January 2017
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JANUARY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS HOLDING UP LETTERS SPELLING: "ELECTIONS NOW" PROTESTERS WEARING YELLOW SHIRTS PROTESTERS HOLDING UP LETTERS SPELLING: "ELECTIONS" TRAFFIC JAMMED DUE TO PROTEST BLOCKING ROAD PROTESTER SHOUTING INTO MEGAPHONE: "WE WANT ELECTIONS, WE WANT ELECTIONS" OPPOSITION LEADER HENRIQUE CAPRILES WALKING AMONGST PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LEADER, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, SAYING: "Today, there is a reaction and as I and other representatives said yesterday, the new demonstrations and what we have to do will not take any conventional form. Now, they will be surprises. Because with this government, it is the only way that one can act. Because if there is a formal petition, things occur like yesterday [referring to a march that didn't reach its final destination]. No more. Enough. Enough with the continued trampling and the continued violation of rights and the government continuing to destroy the country." PROTESTERS SHOUTING: "ELECTIONS NOW" AND CAPRILES WALKING AMONGST PROTESTERS PROTESTERS MARCHING CAPRILES WALKING AMONGST PROTESTERS
- Embargoed: 7th February 2017 16:10
- Keywords: Nicolas Maduro Henrique Capriles opposition protests
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00160FZ0HV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A small opposition protest sprang up in Caracas on Tuesday (January 24) blocking a main highway and jamming traffic.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered on the Francisco Fajardo Highway, waving signs and chanting for new elections in their ongoing effort to force President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles joined the protesters and said that new demos would pop up without warning. He said the opposition movement would use the element of surprise in order to ensure that protests would not be impeded by the government or government supporters.
"Today, there is a reaction and as I and other representatives said yesterday, the new demonstrations and what we have to do will not take any conventional form. Now, they will be surprises. Because with this government, it is the only way that one can act. Because if there is a formal petition, things occur like yesterday [referring to a march that didn't reach its final destination]. No more. Enough. Enough with the continued trampling and the continued violation of rights and the government continuing to destroy the country," he said.
With many of Venezuela's 30 million people skipping meals, unable to pay soaring prices for basic goods and facing long lines for scarce subsidized products, Maduro, who won a 2013 election to succeed Chavez, has become deeply unpopular.
Polls showed a majority of Venezuelans wanted a referendum last year which could have brought his rule to an early end and sparked a presidential vote. But compliant courts and election authorities thwarted the move, alleging fraud in signature collections.
The opposition Democratic Unity coalition is demanding dates for regional elections that are supposed to happen this year, and also urging Maduro to hold a new presidential ballot.
Maduro's six-year term is due to end in early 2019. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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