Caracas readies for anti-Maduro march
Thousands of anti-government protesters are preparing to march in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas to demand a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. Nathan Frandino reports.
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They're here to vent their anger... thousands of Venezuelan opposition supporters set to march on the capital. It's been building for months. Protesters are demanding a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, who they blame for the country's economic crisis. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PROTESTER, LORENA, SAYING: "(The recall referendum) should be this year, because if it's in 2017, it won't work for us, because if it's in 2017, this same government will stay in power. But on the other hand, if it's done this year, we can have a transition government and definitive change." And they say change cannot come soon enough. Triple-digit inflation, a third year of recession and shortages of basic goods are crushing ordinary Venezuelans...many of whom are joining the protest. Extra police and troops are positioned around Caracas, amid fears of violence. Maduro calls the unrest part of a U.S.-fomented coup plan. He and his supporters say they will take whatever action is necessary to stop it.