After weeks of power cuts and limited access to water, tens of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Saturday to back opposition leader Juan Guaido and protest against President Nicolas Maduro, who they accuse of wrecking the economy.
Rolling blackouts across much of Venezuela that started on March 7 paralyzed most of the country’s oil wells and rigs, which have slowly come back online. Oil output averaged less than 600,000 bpd during the blackouts, the people said, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.
Venezuelans are expected to take to the streets nationwide on Saturday, less than a week after power outages left many without basic services and water. US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president in late January, called on his supporters to gather in the capital Caracas and different areas around the country to protest against President Nicolas Maduro and the “tragic” conditions plaguing the country.
US Vice President Mike Pence announced sanctions on Friday on 34 vessels of Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba as Washington pushes to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
The ruling National Constituent Assembly (ANC) decided to withdraw parliamentary immunity to the opposition leader, President of the National Assembly (AN) and declared interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, who affirmed that nothing will stop him by ensuring that “there is no need to respond to an organism that does not exist. ” Opposition leaders expect to activate an article of the constitution that allows the AN to authorize a foreign military intervention in the country in order to withdraw “illegitimate” President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela's chief justice asked lawmakers on Monday to strip opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity, taking a step toward prosecuting him for alleged crimes as he seeks to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced 30 days of electricity rationing on Sunday, after his government said it was reducing the length of the workday and keeping schools closed due to devastating blackouts plaguing the country.
A new massive blackout was recorded this weekend in Venezuela after a nationwide interruption of electricity service this Friday, which was slowly restored in main cities as Caracas. However, a new relapse of the supply occurred on Saturday night, affecting 16 states of the country - more than half.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Friday it was prepared to channel humanitarian aid to Venezuela through an operation that could be similar to one in Syria, potentially helping ease chronic hunger and disease in the South American nation. President Nicolas Maduro in February blocked efforts by political opponents to bring US-backed aid into the country across its borders with neighboring Colombia and Brazil, and has denied the country is suffering a humanitarian crisis.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó will be barred from holding further public office for 15 years, the maximum allowed by law, the state financial controller has announced. Comptroller Elvis Amoroso said Mr Guaidó's personal financial statements contained inconsistencies.