Venezuela's opposition held new protests today, seeking to convert widespread anger over food shortages and economic havoc into pressure for a referendum on removing embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Several hundred opposition supporters rallied on a square in eastern Caracas, brandishing messages aimed at the allegedly pro-Maduro National Electoral Board (CNE) such as "Recall referendum now" and "My signature counts."
The opposition warns Venezuela risks veering into mass unrest if electoral authorities do not let them call a referendum this year on sacking Maduro, whom they blame for the once high-flying oil giant's descent into economic and political chaos.
But as at other recent demonstrations, the opposition coalition, the National Unity Roundtable (MUD), struggled to rally large numbers of protesters.
Political analysts see a number of reasons for that, including the heavy presence of security forces, MUD's own internal divisions, the shortages that force average Venezuelans to spend hours in line to buy food, and the violence that killed 43 people at rival pro- and anti-government protests two years ago.
Venezuela is home to the world's largest oil reserves, but has skidded into a deep recession as global crude prices have plunged over the past two years.
Venezuelans face severe shortages of food, medicine and basic goods, violent crime and an electricity crisis that has forced Maduro to shut down government offices all but two days a week and impose daily four-hour blackouts, extended indefinitely on Sunday.
