With massive protest, Guaidó launched the "final phase" against Nicolás Maduro – 04/06/2019

With giant protests in Caracas and other cities, the Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, launched Saturday which promises to be the final escalation of pressure in favor of the withdrawal of Nicolás Maduro from power. The event focused on the demand for water and electricity shortages, prompting Venezuelans to take to the streets.

Throughout the country, there were 358 concentration points, including six in the Venezuelan capital. The highlight of the march in Caracas was at the headquarters of the national electricity company Corpoelec, in Marqués, where Guaidó called to "express our rejection of the darkness and the usurpation that represents the dictatorship". "Let's stand firm in the streets," he urged, to the applause of the crowd.

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In front of thousands of supporters, Guaidó, recognized as an acting agent in more than 50 countries, launched the "operation libertad", a strategy to articulate its bases in favor of the fall of Maduro. "We are here, we will continue! Everyone on the streets, in the final phase of the cessation of theft!", Harangued the head of Parliament, the platform of a truck.

With this goal, he called for a new mobilization next Wednesday to multiply the volunteers who, according to him, will be responsible for organizing and keeping alive the pressure on the street. It begins "the biggest pressure escalation in our history," Guaidó said.

The government organized a counter-march in the Miraflores Palace, the seat of the government, composed mainly of state employees and military. "Together, in the permanent mobilization, let's continue to defend national peace and independence.More interference!" Maduro was saying.

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There were fears of clashes between the two sectors, especially after Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, the regime's number two, declared war on the protesters by ordering the group of Chavez "collective" paramilitaries to attack the demonstration. ;opposition.

In Caracas, there was no incident, but in Maracaibo, in the west, where the security forces were again violently repressed. They arrested Renzo Prieto and Nora Bracho as they walked with the people, but released them a few hours later.

Then the militarized police started firing tear gas and firing rubber bullets, leaving some 30 wounded. "The crackdown was brutal, from the helicopter they threw tear gas bombs, they sent tanks of the Guard and the repressed army came to the collectives (armed civilians)," said the MP Elimar Diaz.

Violence also occurred in Barquisimeto, Lara State, in the center of the country. On the other hand, during the march of Caracas, the most impressive in number of participants and in fervor, the Chavez groups dared not act. "I'm not scared of this scourge My only fear is that it stays in Maduro, that's why we have to leave, we do not give in to its threats," said Arcadio Denis, 42 years old.

Andreina de Cusatti has been working for 20 years and will continue to do so until "the dictatorship ceases, we can not continue to see how they destroy the country". "Our weapons are the conviction and the determination to fight for freedom and democracy.I have two girls in Spain and two nephews in Peru and Chile.I want them to have here again the opportunities. that Maduro stole us, "he says.

With the tricolor flag in his hand and a hat to protect himself from the sun, Jorge Rutmann, 67, showed no fear of paramilitary threats: "I'm not afraid to leave, I'll do it as many times than necessary to get out Maduro "

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Nearby, Antonio Callaos, 63, expressed the hope that when Maduro left, the services would work again as before. "We are tired of Maduro and his combo, he must leave so we can live in peace and democracy," he said.

The ruling party launched a counter-offensive against Guaidó. He initially disqualified him, through the Comptroller's Office, to hold a public position for 15 years. He then left him under threat of arrest by depriving him of his parliamentary immunity and initiating a process to "usurp" Maduro's duties. The member ignored both measures.

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"The government is playing with Guaidó's wear," said badyst Luis Salamanca. The mobilizations, which have not stopped since January when Guaidó proclaimed himself president, now have a disturbing factor, the "collective", that Maduro called for zero tolerance during violent protests.

In this context, Guaidó "can use", says Salamanca, "because the Venezuelan reality is a kind of crusher of leaders". But at the same time, the expert dismisses that for the moment, as the government wishes.

ICaracas Report: Ludmila Vinogradoff