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Venezuela crisis: What is behind the turmoil? Venezuela crisis: What is behind the turmoil?
(14 days later)
Tension in Venezuela is on the rise again as the opposition and the government accuse each other of trying to stage a coup.Tension in Venezuela is on the rise again as the opposition and the government accuse each other of trying to stage a coup.
In its latest economic outlook the International Monetary Fund says that "Venezuela remains mired in a deep economic crisis" with unemployment on the rise and the country in recession for the past three years. There has been a wave of anti-government protests and dozens of people have been killed in protest-related violence since April
Here, we look more in depth at the problems facing Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro.Here, we look more in depth at the problems facing Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro.
Why is Venezuela so divided?Why is Venezuela so divided?
Venezuela is split into Chavistas, the name given to the followers of the socialist policies of the late President Hugo Chavez, and those who cannot wait to see an end to the 18 years in power of his United Socialist Party (PSUV).Venezuela is split into Chavistas, the name given to the followers of the socialist policies of the late President Hugo Chavez, and those who cannot wait to see an end to the 18 years in power of his United Socialist Party (PSUV).
After the socialist leader died in 2013, Nicolas Maduro, also of the PSUV, was elected president on a promise to continue Mr Chavez's policies.After the socialist leader died in 2013, Nicolas Maduro, also of the PSUV, was elected president on a promise to continue Mr Chavez's policies.
Chavistas praise the two men for using Venezuela's oil riches to markedly reduce inequality and for lifting many Venezuelans out of poverty.Chavistas praise the two men for using Venezuela's oil riches to markedly reduce inequality and for lifting many Venezuelans out of poverty.
But the opposition says that since the PSUV came to power in 1999, the socialist party has eroded Venezuela's democratic institutions and mismanaged its economy.But the opposition says that since the PSUV came to power in 1999, the socialist party has eroded Venezuela's democratic institutions and mismanaged its economy.
Chavistas in turn accuse the opposition of being elitist and of exploiting poor Venezuelans to increase their own riches.Chavistas in turn accuse the opposition of being elitist and of exploiting poor Venezuelans to increase their own riches.
They also allege that opposition leaders are in the pay of the United States, a country with which Venezuela has had fraught relations in recent years.They also allege that opposition leaders are in the pay of the United States, a country with which Venezuela has had fraught relations in recent years.
Why has Mr Maduro's popularity plummeted?Why has Mr Maduro's popularity plummeted?
Mr Maduro has not been able to inspire Chavistas in the same way his predecessor did. His government has furthermore been hampered by falling oil prices.Mr Maduro has not been able to inspire Chavistas in the same way his predecessor did. His government has furthermore been hampered by falling oil prices.
Oil accounts for about 95% of Venezuela's export revenues and was used to finance some of the government's generous social programmes which, according to official figures, have provided more than one million poor Venezuelans with homes.Oil accounts for about 95% of Venezuela's export revenues and was used to finance some of the government's generous social programmes which, according to official figures, have provided more than one million poor Venezuelans with homes.
The lack of oil revenue has forced the government to curtail its social programmes, leading to an erosion of support among its core backers.The lack of oil revenue has forced the government to curtail its social programmes, leading to an erosion of support among its core backers.
Watch: Maduro pelted by protestersWatch: Maduro pelted by protesters
If the divisions are old, what has triggered this latest flare-up?If the divisions are old, what has triggered this latest flare-up?
A series of events has further heightened tensions between the government and the opposition and led to renewed street protests.A series of events has further heightened tensions between the government and the opposition and led to renewed street protests.
Key was the surprise announcement by the Supreme Court on 29 March that it was taking over the powers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.Key was the surprise announcement by the Supreme Court on 29 March that it was taking over the powers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
The opposition said that the ruling undermined the country's separation of powers and took Venezuela a step closer to one-man rule under President Nicolas Maduro.The opposition said that the ruling undermined the country's separation of powers and took Venezuela a step closer to one-man rule under President Nicolas Maduro.
The court argued that the National Assembly had disregarded previous Supreme Court rulings and was therefore in contempt.The court argued that the National Assembly had disregarded previous Supreme Court rulings and was therefore in contempt.
While the Supreme Court reversed its ruling just three days later, distrust of the court did not subside.While the Supreme Court reversed its ruling just three days later, distrust of the court did not subside.
Opposition supporters were further angered by the 15-year ban from public office of opposition leader Henrique Capriles, which was announced on 7 April.
Mr Capriles, who narrowly lost to Mr Maduro in the 2013 election, was likely to stand again in the 2018 presidential poll.
His disqualification from politics until 2032 robs the opposition of one of its most visible and experienced leaders.
What does the opposition want?What does the opposition want?
They have four key demands:They have four key demands:
Why is there talk of a constituent assembly?
Faced with almost daily protests, President Maduro probably felt he needed to make a move.
Not willing to give in to the opposition's demand for early presidential elections, he chose to announce the creation of a constituent assembly.
President Maduro says the opposition is trying to illegally overthrow his elected government and blames the country's problems on an "economic war" being waged against him.
He argues that a new constitution will "neutralise" the opposition and defeat "coup-plotters" and thereby promote peace in Venezuela.
Opposition leaders have denounced the move as an attempt by President Maduro to maximise his power and cling on to it for longer.
They argue that the process of setting up a constituent assembly and drawing up a new constitution would almost certainly mean that regional elections due to be held this year and presidential polls scheduled for December 2018 would be delayed.
They also fear that the constituent assembly would further weaken the National Assembly, Venezuela's opposition-controlled legislative body.
National Assembly leader Julio Borges called it "a scam to deceive the Venezuelan people with a mechanism that is nothing more than a tightening of the coup in Venezuela".