CARACAS, Venezuela ��Thousands of opponents of Venezuela's socialist regime marched in Caracas Saturday as pressure builds at home and abroad for President Nicolas Maduro to resign.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido rallied his supporters to the streets as a deadline imposed by several European Union countries to hold a presidential election expires. The U.S. and two dozen other countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader and have increased pressure on the ruling socialists to cede power.
"We're here for Venezuela's freedom and our children's well-being," said Maribel Rondon, 64, holding a Venezuelan flag as she marched with two friends. "We're going through a lot of hardship in Venezuela because of Maduro. He needs to go."
The protest is another test of endurance of support for Guaido, 35, whom the National Assembly proclaimed interim president Jan. 23. Though Maduro has prevented Guaido from leaving the country, he has let make pronouncements, speak with foreign leaders and hold daytime rallies. At the same time, Maduro has sought to tamp them down through information blackouts, intimidation and violence.
On Jan. 26, the European Union called on Maduro to move "over the next days" toward elections and dangled the prospect of recognizing Guaido as interim president. However, Maduro has refused to back down even as Western leaders threaten further economic punishment of a nation already grappling with hunger and hyperinflation.
On Saturday, Maduro rallied thousands of red-clad supporters to central Caracas against what he calls a U.S.-led coup. The U.S. froze assets and levied sanctions on oil Monday, promising to hand revenue to the Guaido government.
Maduro weathered two blows in the last day: He appeared to have been blocked from plans to fly overseas 20 tons of gold worth about $850 million. And then, a top air force general broke with Maduro, urging Venezuelans to support Guaido.
"The people have suffered enough," the general, Francisco Esteban Yanez Rodriguez, said in a video circulated on social media.
Thousands of Venezuelans struggle with spiraling prices and empty store shelves, but the ruling socialists have largely refused international aid. Guaido and his allies say they will convene more demonstrations in the coming days to demand that shipments be allowed to enter the country.
