Venezuela sees second day of unrest as protests continue despite Maduro’s claims that the rebellion had been defeated

Venezuelans poured into the streets for continued mass demonstrations, and protesters again clashed with government forces Wednesday, a day after an opposition leader renewed calls for the military to abandon President Nicolas Maduro.

Supporters of Juan Guaido, the interim president, heeded his call for massive marches against Maduro’s government on May Day, a public holiday here.

Standing in front of chanting supporters, the 35-year-old Guaido announced that on Thursday, public employees would begin work stoppages, eventually leading to a general strike meant to heighten pressure on Maduro to step down.

“In spite of the intimidation, we have never surrendered and we have said that this is an irreversible process,” Guaido told supporters in east Caracas’ El Marques district. “I have no doubt that 80% of the country wants a change. If the regime thought we had reached maximum pressure, they cannot even imagine,” Guaidó told supporters, according to Reuters. “We have to remain in the streets.”

Later in the day, opposition protesters clashed with security forces near La Carlota military base, with tear gas and smoke from Molotov cocktails drifting through the air. Dozens were reported injured, including at least four journalists.

Maduro’s supporters also marched, wearing the red of his late patron Hugo Chavez’s “Bolivarian” revolution and carrying banners mocking President Trump, whose administration has enthusiastically supported Guaido.

Maduro took to the airwaves on Tuesday night to proclaim that the rebellion had been defeated, but that didn’t stop Guaidó, who in a video tweeted Tuesday night urged the military to join with those seeking change in Venezuela.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said the U.S. would send troops if Trump deems it necessary.

TV networks and radio are controlled by the government and international reporting has been limited with networks like CNN and BCC being banned yesterday. Venezuelan’s typically get their news from online sources, but today the government is cutting off internet and cell service in any neighborhood that is experiencing protests. The official line is that Mudora is trying to prevent “unlawful gatherings” while the opposition claims that it to prevent them from telling their story to the world and showing what Maduro is doing to those he has vowed to seek retribution against.

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