Venezuela unrest: Fresh violence erupts in Caracas

Fresh violence has erupted in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, between police and opponents of President Nicolas Maduro.Masked protesters burned effigies of the president after a rally called “Resurrection of Democracy”.Police responded to petrol bombs in the Chacao district with tear gas and water cannon.More than 40 people have died in violent protests since February and hundreds of people have been arrested.The demonstrations started with students demanding action to tackle Venezuela’s high crime rate, its growing inflation and shortages of certain food staples.They have since grown into a wider opposition movement and many of the protesters say they will not stop until the government of President Maduro resigns.There have also been demonstrations in support ofthe government, with tens of thousands of people clad in red, the colour associated with the Bolivarian revolution, taking to the streets.On Sunday, the rally started with a “Via Crucis” march, mirroring Jesus’s walk to crucifixion.“We’re staying in the street until we get our countryback,” student leader Djamil Jassir, 22, told Reuters news agency.Another protester, Naybeth Ramirez, said: “There are many who have already died and it’s for them that we’re here. They’re not going to have an Easter again, nor carnival.”Later, several hundred protesters set up barricadesin Chacao, in the east of the capital, chanting “Liberty” and throwing petrol bombs.Supporters of the president have also been protesting.In the capital’s Petare shanty-town, residents burned effigies of opposition governor Henrique Capriles.Maduro this week marked one year in office, after replacing the late Hugo Chavez.Maduro said via Twitter: “I will continue to fulfil myoath with the people. No-one will deny our right to be happy, free and independent.”