CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro promise to flood the streets of Caracas in a major test of their strength and the government’s ability to tolerate growing dissent.
The Thursday march called the “taking of Caracas” aims to pressure electoral authorities to allow a recall referendum against Maduro this year.
The buildup to the protest has been tense with Maduro’s government jailing several prominent activists, deploying security forces across the city and warning of bloodshed.
Maduro said Tuesday that his opponents hope violence during the march will pave the way for a coup such as the one that briefly toppled his late predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2002. He said authorities had arrested people possessing military fatigues and C4 explosives, and who had plans to fire upon the crowds dressed as national guard members. He didn’t say who he believed was behind the alleged coup plan.
“If they’re coming with coups, ambushes and political violence, the revolutionary will provide an uncommon and overwhelming response,” Maduro told supporters.