CARACAS — Venezuelans on both sides of the nation’s political divide took to the streets Saturday after nearly two weeks of mass protests that have President Nicolas Maduro scrambling to reassert his leadership of this economically stricken country. In Caracas, tens of thousands of Maduro opponents filled several city blocks in their biggest rally to date against his government. Across town, a mostly female crowd of government backers gathered in red T-shirts and baseball caps, the color of the Socialist party. The dueling protests capped a violent week in which nine people died."
I'm wondering why this coup hasn't commanded as much coverage as the Ukraine.
I did get a Slow Saturday editorial, though:
"Venezuelan crackdown: Hugo Chavez’s tomb" February 22, 2014
While bloodshed in Ukraine has received widespread attention, the violence — and the death count for political protesters — has mounted in Venezuela relatively unnoticed. The crude populism and bullying tone for which the late Hugo Chavez was known have yielded to the far more sinister tactics of leftist President Nicolas Maduro. Six people died over the past week while conducting protests. US diplomats have been expelled on charges of inciting protests, creating a crisis that demands a change from the business-as-usual approach to Venezuela.
It's all hands on deck in the plan for world domination. Look how many balls they juggling right now. Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Central Africa....
No doubt the 200 protesters who formed a human chain in Copley Square recently would agree. Conditions have continued to deteriorate in Venezuela, which leads the world in inflation — 56 percent in January — and suffers from growing poverty and crime.
That's all the protesters? I was led to believe the latest CIA-sponsored effort coups, was more.
It faces major shortages despite being the major oil producer in Latin America.
Maybe they should stop sending cheap oil here and let Americans freeze in their homes as this government can find enough heating aid money and American oil companies want no part, just profit!
Under these conditions, protests are only natural. But the new and insecure president clamped down, not only leading to deaths but also to a broad ban on political protests and the imprisonment of dozens of opposition leaders, including the leading one, Leopoldo Lopez.
To his credit, President Obama condemned the killing of protesters, but a more concerted diplomatic effort is in order that would include not only the United States but also Venezuela’s Latin American neighbors. It wasn’t long ago that Venezuela had a growing economy and a prospering middle class. Now the country is in shambles, and passive disapproval is no longer an acceptable stance.
Coup need is clear now.
--more--"
No, not for them. I thought the Globe was talking about AmeriKa.
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"Venezuelan opposition shuns proposed peace talks" Associated Press, February 25, 2014
CARACAS — The opposition presidential candidate in Venezuela’s last election said Monday he will not attend a proposed peace conference aimed at resolving the turmoil of recent days.
Henrique Capriles said that now is not the time for him to sit down with President Nicolas Maduro. He said his attendance Wednesday would amount to an endorsement of what he calls a ‘‘repressive’’ government. Capriles spoke Monday amid continuing tension in the country.
Opposition protesters erected barricades across major streets in Caracas and elsewhere, bringing traffic to a halt in parts of the Venezuelan capital.
I'm sensing propaganda pre$$ approval, although they are most quiet about it.
There were no new outbreaks of major violence, but there have been at least 12 deaths since Feb. 12 as government forces have clashed with opposition demonstrators.
The barricades of trash and other debris prompted the cancellation of bus routes and made the morning commute a nightmare for many. There were similar reports of blockades in the provincial cities of Maracaibo and Valencia.
That doesn't win over a people very often, disrupting the fabric of life!
--more--"
As for Hugo Chavez, whose death I have not commented upon here, he looks better and better as time passes.
No, not for them. I thought the Globe was talking about AmeriKa.
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"Venezuelan opposition shuns proposed peace talks" Associated Press, February 25, 2014
CARACAS — The opposition presidential candidate in Venezuela’s last election said Monday he will not attend a proposed peace conference aimed at resolving the turmoil of recent days.
Henrique Capriles said that now is not the time for him to sit down with President Nicolas Maduro. He said his attendance Wednesday would amount to an endorsement of what he calls a ‘‘repressive’’ government. Capriles spoke Monday amid continuing tension in the country.
Opposition protesters erected barricades across major streets in Caracas and elsewhere, bringing traffic to a halt in parts of the Venezuelan capital.
I'm sensing propaganda pre$$ approval, although they are most quiet about it.
There were no new outbreaks of major violence, but there have been at least 12 deaths since Feb. 12 as government forces have clashed with opposition demonstrators.
The barricades of trash and other debris prompted the cancellation of bus routes and made the morning commute a nightmare for many. There were similar reports of blockades in the provincial cities of Maracaibo and Valencia.
That doesn't win over a people very often, disrupting the fabric of life!
--more--"
As for Hugo Chavez, whose death I have not commented upon here, he looks better and better as time passes.
