Venezuelans take to streets in rival rallies

By Lokman Ilhan

CARACAS, Venezuela (AA) - Two rival rallies took place in Venezuela’s capital on Saturday after blackouts that left people without electricity and water.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro supporters marched to the presidential palace, after he tweeted "Let’s fill the streets of Caracas with joy."

During the rally Madura said he is willing to negotiate and support any step for dialogue.

In his remarks, he blamed cyberattacks from Colombia and Chile for the recent power outages.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president in late January, urged his supporters to be united and pressure the government until Maduro leaves.

The rival displays came days after Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday, paving the way for his prosecution and possible arrest.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Tensions flared when Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 -- a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.

Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have thrown their weight behind Maduro.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic