Venezuelans nationwide have demonstrated in "Operation Freedom" called by Opposition Leader Juan Guaido to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to resign.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We are not only demanding water and light, but also democracy and future," said Guaido at the main rally on Saturday in Caracas, referring to widespread blackouts in the country in recent weeks that have created water shortages.
Maduro is only able to hang on to power because he has the support of armed paramilitary groups, the opposition leader said.
More than 90 per cent of the population wants a change of government, according to Guaido, whom more than 50 countries have recognised as Venezuela's interim president.
The country's months-long demonstrations are entering a "definitive phase," he said prior to Saturday's rallies.
At one of the rallies in Maracaibo on Saturday, two opposition politicians were temporarily arrested, the members of parliament told broadcaster VPItv.
About 30 demonstrators were injured in clashes with police in the north-western city, El Nacional newspaper reported.
Two VPItv journalists were hit by the national guard in the coastal city as well, journalist union SNTP said via Twitter.
The rallies come shortly after the pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly stripped Guaido of his parliamentary immunity, opening the possibility of his arrest.
The US and Colombia, which are among Guaido's main backers, have warned Maduro against detaining him. Such a move would prompt a "firm multilateral response," Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Wednesday.
Maduro won a second term in an election boycotted by most of the opposition in May.
The leftist president has presided over an economic collapse which has intensified the pressure on him to step down and for new elections to be held.
But the army has so far sided with Maduro, allowing him to hang on to power.
Australian Associated Press
