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Venezuela crisis: Tear gas fired at anti-Maduro protest Venezuela crisis: Tear gas fired at anti-Maduro protest
(about 3 hours later)
Venezuelan police have fired tear gas against anti-government protesters in Caracas who demand a recall referendum on embattled President Nicolas Maduro.Venezuelan police have fired tear gas against anti-government protesters in Caracas who demand a recall referendum on embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Thousands have marched in several cities in what is expected to be the biggest wave of opposition rallies.Thousands have marched in several cities in what is expected to be the biggest wave of opposition rallies.
Mr Maduro has rejected a referendum drive amid growing discontent with the country's spiralling economic crisis.Mr Maduro has rejected a referendum drive amid growing discontent with the country's spiralling economic crisis.
He has announced a 60-day state of emergency, giving soldiers and police wider powers.He has announced a 60-day state of emergency, giving soldiers and police wider powers.
In the third day of demonstrations in a week, opposition leader Henrique Capriles called for a march onto the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE), in Caracas. In the third day of demonstrations in a week, the opposition called for a march onto the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE), in Caracas.
What has gone wrong in Venezuela?What has gone wrong in Venezuela?
Left in the dark as crisis deepensLeft in the dark as crisis deepens
But security forces were out in force, and used tear gas to control a group of protesters who tried to break a police line. But security forces were out in force, and used tear gas to prevent protesters from reaching the building. Some demonstrators threw stones and bottles in response.
"With these extreme measures, the government reveals its weakness," said the Speaker of the opposition-held National Assembly, Henry Ramos Allup. At least four people were reportedly arrested.
In the morning rush hour, 14 underground stations were closed in the capital. Officials said the closures were due to technical issues but opponents said it was a government effort to prevent people from joining their demonstrations. In the morning rush hour, 14 underground stations were closed in the capital. Officials said the closures were due to operational issues but opponents said it was a government effort to prevent people from joining their demonstrations.
Hundreds of Maduro supporters were also seen in Caracas but there were not reports of clashes between the opposing groups. What's life like in Venezuela?
Venezuela is facing a serious economic crisis, with high inflation and shortage of many basic goods. Venezuela country profile
Mr Maduro accuses the country's elite of boycotting the economy to achieve its political goals. But the opposition blames the mistaken policies of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, for the crisis. The opposition blames the policies of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, for an economic crisis made worse by falling oil prices.
Mr Maduro was elected in 2013 for a six-year term, following the death of Mr Chavez. "You can't have a normal life if you don't have any food and if you get sick, you don't have any medicines if you have to go to the hospital to have an operation," Judith Cabrera told the BBC.
Extra powers But Mr Maduro accuses the country's elite of sabotaging the economy for political ends.
He was elected in 2013 for a six-year term, following the death of Mr Chavez.
Maduro supporters were also seen in Caracas on Wednesday but in much smaller numbers.
'Let's avoid an explosion'
On 2 May, the electoral body received a petition signed by 1.85 million people demanding a referendum to oust Mr Maduro.On 2 May, the electoral body received a petition signed by 1.85 million people demanding a referendum to oust Mr Maduro.
The constitution says a referendum will be called to decide if the president remains in power if a second petition is signed by at least 20% of the electorate, or nearly four million people.The constitution says a referendum will be called to decide if the president remains in power if a second petition is signed by at least 20% of the electorate, or nearly four million people.
But the government has already made it clear that the referendum will not go ahead.But the government has already made it clear that the referendum will not go ahead.
On Tuesday, Mr Maduro told journalists that the opposition demonstrators would no be allowed to march through the streets of the Libertador neighbourhood, where the CNE building is located. This has angered the opposition, which says it is seeking a legal and constitutional manner to achieve political change.
"They will not impose a referendum using violence to blackmail us," said Mr Maduro. "The referendum can be held this year, and you know this. Let's avoid an explosion" of public frustration, opposition leader Henrique Capriles said at Wednesday's demonstration.
The move angered the opposition, which says it was seeking a legal and constitutional manner to achieve political change.
On Friday, Mr Maduro issued a decree declaring a state of emergency for 60 days, renewable for an equal period of time.On Friday, Mr Maduro issued a decree declaring a state of emergency for 60 days, renewable for an equal period of time.
He said he needed the extra powers conceded by the decree to deal with the political and economic crisis. He said he needed the extra powers conceded by the decree to tackle what he said were threats to domestic and external security and to deal with the political and economic crisis.