The Americas

Crowds decline at Venezuela protests amid fears of crackdown

Associated Press
Published | Updated

An opponent of the Nicolas Maduro government, his mouth covered with strands representing the national colors of Venezuela, waits for the arrival of opposition leader Juan Guaidó to lead a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 11, 2019. Guaidó has called for nationwide marches protesting the Maduro government, demanding new elections and the release of jailed opposition lawmakers. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó greets supporters as he arrives to lead a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 11, 2019. Guaidó has called for nationwide marches protesting the Maduro government, demanding new elections and the release of jailed opposition lawmakers. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A modest crowd of Venezuelans has taken to the streets to show support for the opposition-led congress which has come under increasing pressure from the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The march comes days after security forces arrested National Assembly Vice President Edgar Zambrano. Other lawmakers have scrambled for refuge in the embassies of foreign countries amid renewed fears of a crackdown.

Some targets of the government's ire joined opposition leader Juan Guaidó in a failed April 30 uprising to remove Maduro from office.

Guaidó on Saturday addressed roughly 1,000 supporters gathered in Caracas, reflecting both fear and demoralization among supporters after the attempted military rebellion.

Maduro maintains that the Trump administration and Venezuela's extreme right are attempting a coup to exploit the country's vast oil wealth.