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Venezuela: Pro and anti-Maduro marches go ahead in Caracas Venezuela: Pro and anti-Maduro marches go ahead in Caracas
(about 1 hour later)
Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have taken to the streets of the capital, Caracas, in rival marches.Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have taken to the streets of the capital, Caracas, in rival marches.
The demonstrations come at a time of growing political tension in Venezuela.The demonstrations come at a time of growing political tension in Venezuela.
Three people were killed during anti-government protests on Wednesday, and 100 students were arrested. Three people were killed during anti-government protests on Wednesday, and some 100 students were arrested.
Mr Maduro accused the opposition of stirring up trouble as part of a coup plot and urged his supporters to march for peace on Saturday.Mr Maduro accused the opposition of stirring up trouble as part of a coup plot and urged his supporters to march for peace on Saturday.
The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.
They have denounced police brutality and blamed pro-government groups, known as "colectivos", for the deaths on Wednesday.
But Venezuelan Prisons Minister Iris Varela has described the "colectivos" as "pillars in the defence of the nation".
On Friday, students took to the streets again demanding the release of all the demonstrators arrested in the last week.
Mr Maduro called supporters to take part in a big demonstration "for peace and against fascism".
Government supporters began arriving Venezuela square, in central Caracas, in the morning.Government supporters began arriving Venezuela square, in central Caracas, in the morning.
They were dressed predominantly in red or in Venezuela's national colours - blue, yellow and red.They were dressed predominantly in red or in Venezuela's national colours - blue, yellow and red.
"The Venezuelan youth believe in peace. Violence is not the way. This is the answer to coup plots," student Ifrain Bastardo told El Nacional newspaper. Hours later Mr Maduro addressed thousands of his supporters in Bolivar Avenue. The march has been broadcast live on national television.
Meanwhile, opposition demonstrators, including a movement known as Mothers in White, gathered at Las Mercedes neighbourhood in eastern Caracas. "I call all the people to the streets in order to defend peace," he said.
They are planning to hold hands and make a human chain from the square to the Courts of Justice building. He warned that his government would not give in to those he described as "fascists," including former president of neighbouring Colombia, Alvaro Uribe.
Student leader Enrique Altimari said the peaceful protest was aimed at paying "tribute to the victims". "Alvaro Uribe is behind this, financing and directing these fascist movements.
But he said the protest would end before night falls, to avoid a repeat of the incidents of Wednesday. "He intended to use a Venezuelan television channel [NTN24] to do the same they did on 11 April 2002," Mr Maduro said, referring to an failed military coup against the late president, Hugo Chavez.
Mr Uribe, a centre-right politician, was a fierce enemy of Mr Chavez and accused the late president of supporting Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc.
Opposition demonstrators, including a movement known as Mothers in White, gathered at Las Mercedes neighbourhood in eastern Caracas.
Thousands of people, mostly wearing white, marched towards the Courts of Justice building and stopped for a memorial ceremony to the three demonstrators killed on Wednesday: Bassil da Costa, Juan Montoya y Robert Redman.
Student leader Enrique Altimari said the main aim of their "peaceful protest" was to "pay tribute to the victims".
He said the march would end before night fell, to avoid a repeat of the incidents of Wednesday.
The three victims were shot dead by unknown gunmen as the opposition marches came to an end.The three victims were shot dead by unknown gunmen as the opposition marches came to an end.
"The streets at night are not a safe place for us. We would not be achieving any goal and would only fall in the trap set up by violent pro-government groups," Mr Altimari said."The streets at night are not a safe place for us. We would not be achieving any goal and would only fall in the trap set up by violent pro-government groups," Mr Altimari said.
They have denounced police brutality and blamed pro-government groups, known as "colectivos", for the deaths on Wednesday.
But Venezuelan Prisons Minister Iris Varela has described the "colectivos" as "pillars in the defence of the nation".
The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.
The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen".
Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is deeply politically polarised.Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is deeply politically polarised.
Mr Maduro was elected last April by a narrow margin, defeating the centre-right candidate, Henrique Capriles, who denounced electoral fraud.Mr Maduro was elected last April by a narrow margin, defeating the centre-right candidate, Henrique Capriles, who denounced electoral fraud.
A former union leader, Mr Maduro was a close ally of late President Hugo Chavez who died of cancer in April after 14 years in office. A former union leader, Mr Maduro was a close ally of President Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last March after 14 years in office.
Mr Capriles blames the government's left-wing policies for the country's economic problems, including high inflation- 56.2% in 2013, according to official figures. Mr Capriles says the government's left-wing policies have led to economic collapse, including high inflation- 56.2% in 2013, according to official figures.
The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen".