Jailed protest leader urges continued Venezuelan protests
- 10 years ago
Accused of instigating violent protests, Venezuela's jailed opposition leader sends a handwritten note from behind bars.
Leopoldo Lopez is urging continued demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro. But peaceful ones.
At least 6 people have died in recent days. And authorities say some 100 civilians have been injured.
Both sides are blaming each other.
President Maduro is now blaming "right-wing extremists."
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SAYING:
"Venezuela is the victim of attack by a group of right-wing extremists who want to destabilize the country, to lead us into a civil war, to topple the legitimate government, and to destroy the Bolivarian revolution with the support from factions in the United States."
Troops guard the streets of San Cristobal, Tachira - recently described as a "war zone."
The Interior Ministry said a battalion of paratroopers was being sent to the state to help bring calm. Something the mayo
Leopoldo Lopez is urging continued demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro. But peaceful ones.
At least 6 people have died in recent days. And authorities say some 100 civilians have been injured.
Both sides are blaming each other.
President Maduro is now blaming "right-wing extremists."
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SAYING:
"Venezuela is the victim of attack by a group of right-wing extremists who want to destabilize the country, to lead us into a civil war, to topple the legitimate government, and to destroy the Bolivarian revolution with the support from factions in the United States."
Troops guard the streets of San Cristobal, Tachira - recently described as a "war zone."
The Interior Ministry said a battalion of paratroopers was being sent to the state to help bring calm. Something the mayo