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Protests against Chavez spread in Venezuela’s streets

24 January 2010 01:41 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Ziya Agazade â€“ APA. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chavez took to the streets Saturday, blaming him for rolling blackouts, water rationing, widespread crime and other problems they say are making daily life increasingly difficult, APA reports quoting â€œAssociated Pressâ€.

Chavez backers flooded the capital’s avenues with an equally impressive demonstration as the socialist leader confronts mounting criticism and an emboldened opposition ahead of upcoming congressional elections.

Waving Venezuelan flags, protesters accused Chavez of dragging the politically divided South American country into a severe crisis as he accelerates his drive to transform it into a socialist state.

Many wore T-shirts that read: "3 Strikes: Blackouts, Water Rationing and Crime. Chavez, You’ve Struck Out!" Chavez backers rebutted the criticism, accusing opponents of exaggeration.

Political rivals organized Saturday’s demonstrations to coincide with the 52nd anniversary of an uprising that toppled Venezuela’s last dictator, Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez. Chavez allies argued that democracy is growing stronger, while government foes said their liberties are slipping away.

Margarita Lopez Maya, a political science professor at the Central University of Venezuela, believes increasing numbers of Venezuelans are "putting the president’s capacity to resolve problems in doubt," but they haven’t embraced the opposition as a result.