CARACAS-
Students opposed to Venezuela’s government returned to the streets to protest against President Nicolas Maduro after a week of violence that saw three people killed at political rallies.
The tension that surrounds the demonstrations in Caracas was underscored by a report from Twitter that the government has blocked pictures of the unrest from being shared between users on the social messaging service.
The state-owned telecommunications company CANTV “emphatically” denied putting any such restrictions in place.
Hundreds of protesters have assembled in the capital in an anti-government movement launched 10 days ago by students who have received backing from some of the country’s fractured opposition groups. Rampant crime, soaring inflation and basic goods shortages are their main grievances.
Despite having the world’s largest proven reserves of crude oil, the country remains economically divided.
The protesters have demanded that Maduro step down, but top opposition leader Henrique Capriles has said the political conditions are not favorable to the president’s exit.
Maduro has called a demonstration by his supporters “for peace and against fascism” on Saturday.