17 March

Rival rallies have been held in Venezuela by groups supporting President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Pro-Maduro demonstrators marched through the capital city of Caracas on Saturday chanting their support for the embattled president. Afterwards, about 20,000 gathered in the city center, holding national flags and chanting criticism of the US-backed Guaido. The opposition leader has declared himself interim president.

One Maduro supporter called Guaido a betrayer. At the same time, Guaido supporters also rallied throughout the city, calling for political reform. One said the people had no food or freedom, and said Maduro should resign immediately.

The Maduro government has been stepping up a media crackdown. 49 reporters have been arrested so far this year.—NHK