VENEZUELA: Opposition leader Henrique Capriles speaks out against President Nicolas Maduro and calls for peace amid a spate of violent street protests

Record ID: 567070

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Opposition leader Henrique Capriles speaks out against President Nicolas Maduro and calls for peace amid a spate of violent street protests
  • Date: 16th February 2014
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 16, 2014) (REUTERS) OPPOSITION LEADER AND MIRANDA STATE GOVERNOR, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERA OPERATOR GENERAL VIEW OF CAPRILES IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LEADER AND MIRANDA STATE GOVERNOR, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, SAYING: "Don't try to cover up with disturbances the serious problems that our Venezuela is living with. Don't distract us or try to get us involved because there is a deep unhappiness in our country. It exists. You know that." CAPRILES IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LEADER AND MIRANDA STATE GOVERNOR, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, SAYING: "I believe that the government does not want to have opposition. It seems that for the government, if one person has a different position - or if the students have a different position or if the country has a different position - that means that they are on the side of violence." CAPRILES IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LEADER AND MIRANDA STATE GOVERNOR, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, SAYING: "With respect to Leopoldo Lopez, the information that we have is that not only is he in the country, but that he is at the head of this situation of persecution of the government. It is clear that we have differences as to how to find solutions to the problems that the country is living through, but that does not mean that we do not have total solidarity." CAPRILES IN NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF STUDENTS IN ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) STUDENT PROTESTER, GLADYS BRAVO, SAYING: "For the peace of Venezuela, because we are tired of a useless government such as the one Chavez left and now Maduro is running." VARIOUS OF STUDENTS IN ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAANQ52HD53TN6KSYAJDF8AX3NM
  • Story Text: Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called for peace on Sunday (February 16) amid a spate of violent protests across Caracas, but he also had strong words for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
    Capriles spoke as students protesting against the Maduro administration gathered for a new demonstration in another part of the capital. Saturday's competing pro and anti-government protests ended in clashes, wrapping up a week that has seen several deadly street protests and an arrest warrant issued for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who called for the street demos.
    Capriles, who also serves as the governor of Miranda state, accused Maduro of using rhetoric over recent violence to distract the public from other problems facing Venezuela.
    "Don't try to cover up with disturbances the serious problems that our Venezuela is living with. Don't distract us or try to get us involved because there is a deep unhappiness in our country. It exists. You know that," he said during a news conference in Caracas.
    "I believe that the government does not want to have opposition. It seems that for the government, if one person has a different position - or if the students have a different position or if the country has a different position - that means that they are on the side of violence," Capriles added.
    He also addressed the situation of Lopez, who is wanted by police in connection with last week's deadly street protests. Armed police visited his father's home on Sunday (February 16), apparently seeking to arrest him, but he was not there.
    Capriles has refused to endorse the protests, preferring to build on the opposition's strong presence in local government to broaden support among the electorate before the next presidential vote in 2019. However, he vowed unity with Lopez.
    "With respect to Leopoldo Lopez, the information that we have is that not only is he in the country, but that he is at the head of this situation of persecution of the government. It is clear that we have differences as to how to find solutions to the problems that the country is living through, but that does not mean that we do not have total solidarity," Capriles said.
    Meanwhile, hundreds of opposition supporters gathered peacefully in another part of Caracas, many wearing baseball caps in the red, blue and yellow of the Venezuelan flag, singing, blowing whistles, singing, and listening to speeches.
    "For the peace of Venezuela, because we are tired of a useless government such as the one Chavez left and now Maduro is running," said protester, Gladys Bravo.
    The demonstrators have vowed to stay in the streets until President Nicolas Maduro resigns, although there is no sign of that happening.
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