Venezuela death toll rises to 13 as protests flare
- 10 years ago
Anti-government protesters in the Venezuelan capital burn rubbish and put up barricades.
Access to the main avenues has been barred and traffic has slowed to a crawl.
These blockades are the latest in a series of opposition protests in which 13 people have died.
Demonstrators say they'll continue with their protests, until President Nicolas Maduro resigns.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles is also demanding the government release protest leader Leopoldo Lopez and about a dozen student demonstrators, imprisoned on charges of inciting violence.
He spurned an invitation to meet the president for talks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HENRIQUE CAPRILES, POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADER, INSIDE A PRESS CIRCLE, SAYING:
"I am not going to a meeting with the federal council to help him save face. I'm not going to be like the orchestra on the Titanic. I am not the musician, the boat is sinking, and I am the one who is playing the music? No sir, Nicolas, you are not
Access to the main avenues has been barred and traffic has slowed to a crawl.
These blockades are the latest in a series of opposition protests in which 13 people have died.
Demonstrators say they'll continue with their protests, until President Nicolas Maduro resigns.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles is also demanding the government release protest leader Leopoldo Lopez and about a dozen student demonstrators, imprisoned on charges of inciting violence.
He spurned an invitation to meet the president for talks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HENRIQUE CAPRILES, POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADER, INSIDE A PRESS CIRCLE, SAYING:
"I am not going to a meeting with the federal council to help him save face. I'm not going to be like the orchestra on the Titanic. I am not the musician, the boat is sinking, and I am the one who is playing the music? No sir, Nicolas, you are not