Opposition Protests Against the President of Venezuela Turn Violent

The pre-announced protests by thousands of Venezuelan citizens in Caracas, the capital, turned violent on Wednesday, May 17, as security forces and police clashed with demonstrators. The police and National Guard attempted to disperse protesters who aimed to gather in the city’s main square by closing it off and firing tear gas. The demonstrators wanted to march towards the headquarters of the National Electoral Council. Opposition parties and groups, having collected over 1.8 million signatures, have requested a referendum from the National Electoral Council to remove the president. However, they claim that the council is delaying the review of their request and the validation of the collected signatures. In the latest development that has deepened Venezuela's political-economic crisis, President Nicolás Maduro's insistence on enforcing his orders under a state of emergency contradicts the vote of the country's Congress. The Venezuelan Congress, which has a majority of Maduro's opponents, rejected the declaration of a state of emergency for another 60 days on Tuesday. In response to the street protests and the deteriorating situation, Maduro declared a state of emergency on Monday. According to Venezuelan law, in such circumstances, the president has greater powers and can effectively prevent any form of dissent. If the Supreme Court of Venezuela does not uphold the Congress's ruling, Maduro will continue to enforce the state of emergency. Maduro has threatened to freeze the assets of individuals, companies, and NGOs that have connections with foreign groups and entities if they do not comply with his orders. He has accused the U.S. of plotting to overthrow his government and believes that the country’s economic problems stem from a U.S. conspiracy. He has threatened to restore order in the country using the military, security forces, and police. In contrast, opposition leader Enrique Capriles stated that if Maduro wants to maintain a state of emergency, he must bring his tanks to the streets because he will have to do it by force. According to the latest polls, over 70% of Venezuelans want Maduro to resign and a new government to take over. In recent months, the collapse of economic growth, 700% inflation, severe food shortages, and power outages have plunged Venezuela into one of its deepest economic crises. The drop in oil prices has brought Venezuela, which has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, to the brink of bankruptcy. Government employees only work two days a week, and electricity is available for only a few hours a day. Long lines in front of stores, high unemployment rates, severe shortages of medicine, doctors, and nurses, and unprecedented price increases have fueled street protests and led to clashes between police and security forces with demonstrators.