Opposition Violence Follows Peaceful Marches on Venezuela’s Day of Youth

After a peaceful morning of Day of Youth commemorations, violence erupted in a number of Venezuelan cities including the capital, with riot police and the national guard being deployed to the streets.

Venezuela’s annual Day of Youth was preceded by weeks of violent right-wing student protests in the western states of Merida and Tachira.

Both Chavistas and the opposition took to the streets on 12 February to commemorate the Day of Youth. After a peaceful morning, violent clashes took place in a number of Venezuelan cities, claiming three deaths and injuring scores.

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The Chavista march in central Merida. (Ryan Mallett-Outtrim/Venezuelanalysis)