Caracas Demonstrators Scramble to Cross Pipes Over Guaire River as Police Fire Tear Gas

Demonstrators in Caracas, Venezuela, were forced to cross over the Guaire river by wading and climbing along a utility bridge as riot police blocked the streets and fired tear gas on April 19, according to David Smolansky, Mayor of El Hatillo.Large-scale demonstrations were planned in Caracas and across Venezuela on Wednesday to protest against President Nicholas Maduro and his administration, who opposition leaders say are engaging in a coup and evading new elections. Opposition leaders and activists said that the police and national guard have been engaging in violent and repressive protest-suppression tactics, leading to the deaths of several people.Maduro has maintained a hard line against the opposition, saying that they are “assailants” and calling for his supporters to take to the streets in counter-protest.