Competing marches mark anniversary of Venezuela protest movement

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

Competing marches mark anniversary of Venezuela protest movement

Supporters and opponents of President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist government braved the rain to take to the streets a year after mass opposition protests began


[font size=1]
Two demonstrators, one with a shirt reading ‘Proudly chavista’ attend a march to commemorate the 201st
anniversary of ‘Batalla de la Victoria’ (Victory Battle), in Caracas on Thursday. Photograph: Miguel Gutiérrez/EPA
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[font size=1]
An opposition demonstrator with a Statue of Liberty costume attends a march in Caracas.
Photograph: Miguel Gutiérrez/EPA
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Thursday 12 February 2015 16.55 EST

Friends and foes of Venezuela’s socialist government braved pouring rain on Thursday to stage duelling marches on the anniversary of the protest movement that racked the country last year.

A small group of students in Caracas rallied against the government near one of the country’s largest universities, but they were outnumbered by lines of riot police.

In a different part of town, a larger number of government supporters marched in a demonstration that President Nicolás Maduro was expected to attend. Dozens of government buses could be seen at the start of the route, indicating that some marchers were government workers brought in by officials.

Opposition leaders called masses of supporters into the street last February and violence stemming from the months of protests that followed left more than 40 people dead, including both Maduro supporters and opponents.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/competing-marches-mark-anniversary-venezuela-protest-movement

[another_liberal]

1. Maduro has proven he is toughter than many thought . . .

A year ago it looked like the CIA would manage to succeed at another of their patented "Regime Change" operations in Venezuela. Now Maduro appears stronger than ever. and he has the reputation of a survivor.

[7962]

4. Of course he'll survive; he's looting the country.

And when it goes down the drain for good, he'll flee with a few hundred million. If he gets out alive.

[Bacchus4.0]

7. Yep, thats always been the plan n/t

[another_liberal]

11. I guess the Koch brothers should be doing that instead . . .

Is that what you think?

[7962]

12. Your unflinching support of a fraud baffles me.

How much worse will it need to be for the people before you'll admit change is needed? There has to be some level of misery that will change your mind. I guess we'll find out what that is eventually. This man is going to stir things up. Unless maduro has him killed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/06/us-venezuela-opposition-idUSKCN0HV1Q020141006

[Marksman_91]

2. The amount of people that attended Maduro's rally was pathetic compared to those opposing him

Obviously you don't know this since you don't use any Venezuela-based news sources other than the propaganda-spewing Telesur and VenezuelaAnalysis.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. What a bizarro world statement! From the Guardian article in the OP:

A small group of students in Caracas rallied against the government near one of the country’s largest universities, but they were outnumbered by lines of riot police.

In a different part of town, a larger number of government supporters marched in a demonstration that President Nicolás Maduro was expected to attend. Dozens of government buses could be seen at the start of the route, indicating that some marchers were government workers brought in by officials.

------

So, there were more Maduro supporters than the "small group of students" opposing him, but Maduro's rally was pathetic? Wow, talk about ideological blinders!

[7962]

5. "government workers brought in by officials." BIG surprise there.

Lets see how well the next election goes, shall we? Its not far away. Jesus Torrealba is already making waves

[christx30]

15. Ain't no party like a Chavista party.

cause a Chavista party is MANDATORY.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Thanks for pointing it out. "Ideological blinders" would be the accurate. n/t

[Marksman_91]

8. I'd rather let the pictures and videos do the talking...

People who came to Maduro's rally...





Not particularly impressive...

Chavista rally in Barquisimeto



Again, not really that much...



Student protesters halted by GNB





Student protests in San Cristobal

#t=115

An unimpressive chavista rally in Margarita headed by that state's governor

Lemme know if you'd like to have more. I actually tried looking for a nice, open shot of the rally where Maduro was, but I honestly couldn't find any except those 2.

[Bacchus4.0]

9. yes, and only the student's march to the mass was met with violence by the chavistas nt

[7962]

13. Can someone please explain the fascination with the Maduro/Chavez failures?

I just dont get it

[Bacchus4.0]

10. Yes, the large protest of students was in San Cristobal while the gov mandated rally was Caracas

the chavistas her didn't pick up on that.

[candelista]

14. I always know what comments to expect from RW anti-communist liberals.

Tedious cant.