Chavista and Opposition Marches Converge Peacefully in Caracas

State operated media as well as conservative news outlets reported fairly peaceful marches across the South American nation. The government is looking into several cases of violent outbursts purportedly catalized by the opposition.   

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Los Angeles, California, September 1st 2016 (venezuelanalysis.com) – State operated media as well as conservative news outlets reported fairly peaceful marches across Venezuela and in the South American nation’s capital Thursday. Both supporters of the Bolivarian Revolutionary process as well as the political opposition converged in Caracas with different opinions about how to move forward with the country’s ongoing economic difficulties and more importantly, the possible recall referendum.

Tensions were raised over the last few days as well known opposition leaders and others were arrested for weapons and explosives possession as well as alleged plans to incite violence in Caracas. The Bolivarian government deployed police, national guard and other security forces part of a national mission to prevent much-anticipated violence on behalf of the opposition.

The country’s defensive measures will last through Monday September 4th.

While thousands marched with the opposition, dressed in white and carrying banners of their political parties such as Justice First (PR) and Popular Will (VP) intent on “taking over Caracas”, the Bolivarian masses donned their traditional red t-shirts, banners dotted with revolutionary slogans and portraits of former President Hugo Chávez.

President Maduro announced plans for a four month “integral revolutionary offensive” to address failures in certain public policies. Maduro charged the Venezuelan people with accompanying this process starting September 1st through December 31st. This project would also include measures to address the ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela.  

In addition to investigating several cases across the country of violent outbursts, the government plans on “consolidating peace” and plans to detain “various criminals, we are in search of them and we hope to have good news in the coming hours about fascist criminals that paid to massacre the people,” expressed President Maduro. 

Meanwhile, the opposition continues to insist that the recall referendum must take place before January 2017 despite the National Electoral Council’s detailed description of the constitutional timeline and requirements. The opposition’s late delivery of the first round of signatures in support of the recall referendum would render a 2016 deadline unconstitutional.

If the recall referendum happens after January 10, 2017 there will be a direct transition from President Maduro to current Vice-president Aristóbulo Isturíz instead of national elections according to the constitution’s guidelines.

The next phase of the recall referendum is set to begin in late October.