Venezuelans protest Maduro’s plan to rewrite constitution
CARACAS, Venezuela — A few thousand protesters attempted to reach Venezuela’s Supreme Court Saturday before clashing with national guardsmen and largely dispersing by late afternoon — a disappointing turnout for opponents of President Nicolas Maduro eight days before he launches the rewriting of the country’s constitution.
The opposition said millions participated in a symbolic vote last week against the constitutional rewrite, and millions more in a nationwide strike on Thursday. Saturday’s showing, however, was a faint echo of the hundreds of thousands who once showed up for marches against Maduro, who says the remaking of the constitution will not be stopped.
The government also appeared to strike back against another challenge to its authority, detaining one of the 33 people named to the supreme court by the country’s opposition-controlled congress.
Congressional leader Julio Borges said on Twitter that Saturday’s detention of Angel Zerpa was part of a “persecution by the dictatorship” of President Nicolas Maduro.