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Venezuelan forces clear Caracas protest hotspot | Venezuelan forces clear Caracas protest hotspot |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Venezuelan soldiers have cleared protesters from Plaza Altamira in the capital Caracas. | Venezuelan soldiers have cleared protesters from Plaza Altamira in the capital Caracas. |
The square in the east of the city has been at the centre of anti-government demonstrations which have disrupted the country for more than a month. | The square in the east of the city has been at the centre of anti-government demonstrations which have disrupted the country for more than a month. |
President Nicolas Maduro said government forces would "continue liberating territory" from the protesters. | President Nicolas Maduro said government forces would "continue liberating territory" from the protesters. |
At least 28 people have been killed in six weeks of unrest. | At least 28 people have been killed in six weeks of unrest. |
Deadline | Deadline |
The clearance of the square took place on Sunday. | The clearance of the square took place on Sunday. |
On Saturday, President Maduro had warned protesters - whom he calls Chuckys in reference to the murderous doll in the 1980s horror film Child's Play - to leave or face eviction. | On Saturday, President Maduro had warned protesters - whom he calls Chuckys in reference to the murderous doll in the 1980s horror film Child's Play - to leave or face eviction. |
"I'm going to give the Chuckys, those assassins that have taken over Plaza Altamira and Francisco de Miranda Avenue, a few hours, and if they don't clear out today I am going to clear those spaces with public force," he said. | "I'm going to give the Chuckys, those assassins that have taken over Plaza Altamira and Francisco de Miranda Avenue, a few hours, and if they don't clear out today I am going to clear those spaces with public force," he said. |
President Maduro has blamed the opposition for many of the protest-related deaths and has charged opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez with inciting violence. | President Maduro has blamed the opposition for many of the protest-related deaths and has charged opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez with inciting violence. |
Among the dead are a number of government supporters and members of the National Guard. | Among the dead are a number of government supporters and members of the National Guard. |
But the opposition accuses the security forces of violently repressing the protests, shooting live rounds at demonstrators and severely beating those detained. | But the opposition accuses the security forces of violently repressing the protests, shooting live rounds at demonstrators and severely beating those detained. |
Eight members of the security forces have been arrested in connection with the shooting on 12 February of an anti-government protester and a government supporter. | Eight members of the security forces have been arrested in connection with the shooting on 12 February of an anti-government protester and a government supporter. |
Soldiers drove into Altamira square on around 50 motorcycles on Sunday, detaining more than a dozen protesters. | |
They also fired water cannon and tear gas at those gathered in the square. | They also fired water cannon and tear gas at those gathered in the square. |
Opposing views | Opposing views |
Plaza Altamira, in the opposition Chacao neighbourhood, has been the scene of nightly protests by Venezuelans calling for the resignation of the government of President Maduro. | Plaza Altamira, in the opposition Chacao neighbourhood, has been the scene of nightly protests by Venezuelans calling for the resignation of the government of President Maduro. |
The current wave of protests first started in the western city of San Cristobal when students demonstrated about the lack of security in Venezuela. | The current wave of protests first started in the western city of San Cristobal when students demonstrated about the lack of security in Venezuela. |
It quickly spread to the capital and other cities and has been joined by many who are disgruntled by the country's high inflation and shortages of some staple foods. | It quickly spread to the capital and other cities and has been joined by many who are disgruntled by the country's high inflation and shortages of some staple foods. |
But there have also been mass rallies in support of President Maduro. | But there have also been mass rallies in support of President Maduro. |
On Sunday, thousands marched to the presidential palace to show their backing for the government's policy of subsidising certain food staples. | On Sunday, thousands marched to the presidential palace to show their backing for the government's policy of subsidising certain food staples. |
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