This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26235789
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US: Venezuela's anti-government protests claims 'false' | US: Venezuela's anti-government protests claims 'false' |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| The US State Department says Venezuela's accusations that it is helping to organise anti-government protests are "baseless and false". | The US State Department says Venezuela's accusations that it is helping to organise anti-government protests are "baseless and false". |
| On Sunday, Venezuela expelled three US diplomats for allegedly meeting students who have been leading marches. | On Sunday, Venezuela expelled three US diplomats for allegedly meeting students who have been leading marches. |
| Meanwhile, the mayor of the capital, Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez, said he had not authorised another protest called by the opposition for Tuesday. | Meanwhile, the mayor of the capital, Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez, said he had not authorised another protest called by the opposition for Tuesday. |
| Venezuela has seen a string of rallies, with three protesters dying in clashes. | Venezuela has seen a string of rallies, with three protesters dying in clashes. |
| On Monday, groups of students took to the streets again in small anti-government demonstrations. | On Monday, groups of students took to the streets again in small anti-government demonstrations. |
| In an official press statement, the US State Department rejected Venezuela's accusations and urged dialogue. | In an official press statement, the US State Department rejected Venezuela's accusations and urged dialogue. |
| 'Baseless and false' | 'Baseless and false' |
| "The allegation that the United States is helping to organise protesters in Venezuela is baseless and false. We support human rights and fundamental freedoms - including freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly - in Venezuela as we do in countries around the world," spokeswoman Jan Psaki said. | "The allegation that the United States is helping to organise protesters in Venezuela is baseless and false. We support human rights and fundamental freedoms - including freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly - in Venezuela as we do in countries around the world," spokeswoman Jan Psaki said. |
| Tuesday's demonstration was called by the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who is wanted by the authorities on charges of inciting violence. | Tuesday's demonstration was called by the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who is wanted by the authorities on charges of inciting violence. |
| While officials say no opposition march will be permitted, a large "concert for the youth" is scheduled in Caracas' central square on Tuesday afternoon, he said. | While officials say no opposition march will be permitted, a large "concert for the youth" is scheduled in Caracas' central square on Tuesday afternoon, he said. |
| Earlier, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua had named the three US diplomats whose expulsion had been announced by President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday. | Earlier, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua had named the three US diplomats whose expulsion had been announced by President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday. |
| Consular officials Breann Marie McCusker, Jeffrey Gordon Elsen and Kristopher Lee Clark were accused of meeting students in private universities in the last two months. | Consular officials Breann Marie McCusker, Jeffrey Gordon Elsen and Kristopher Lee Clark were accused of meeting students in private universities in the last two months. |
| On Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela. | On Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela. |
| The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples. | 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". | The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen". |
| Mr Lopez was last seen on Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition protests in the capital. | Mr Lopez was last seen on Wednesday, when three men were shot dead at the end of opposition protests in the capital. |
| Mr Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot against his left-wing government. | Mr Maduro has accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence as part of a coup plot against his left-wing government. |
| The opposition say they were killed by pro-government militias known as "colectivos". | The opposition say they were killed by pro-government militias known as "colectivos". |
| Mr Lopez, 42, is a former mayor of Chacao district, in eastern Caracas. He organised the recent protests against the government. | Mr Lopez, 42, is a former mayor of Chacao district, in eastern Caracas. He organised the recent protests against the government. |