[View the story "The Venezuelan Standoff " on Storify ]The Venezuelan Standoff As President Maduro calls for a “peace conference,” opposition protesters demand his resignation. But government supporters accuse outside forces, including the U.S., of instigating the crisis. Storified by AJAMStream · Wed, Feb 26 2014 13:51:42
Protests have
amplified across Venezuela over the past couple of weeks, in a tit-for-tat battle between President Maduro's socialist party government and the opposition. The latter is a complex movement composed of Governor
Henrique Capriles , jailed leader
Leopoldo Lopez and hundreds of
detained student demonstrators.
Below is a 2013 New York Times interview with Venezuelans who describe some of their frustrations:
Video: Disappointment and Disarray in VenezuelaNew York Times
Countrywide protests began on Feb 12,
leaving 150 people injured and 15 people dead. Of the 579 people who were detained, 45 remain in custody. Protesters are calling for Maduro's resignation,
citing a slew of issues including inflation, high crime rates, police brutality, media censorship and food shortages.
@LAHT but they say nothing about the "Guardia del Pueblo's" crackdown on protesters! http://t.co/IIrMz2D0YZAna Melissa
A recent Gallup poll shows how Venezuelans see economic conditions in their country:
gallup.com
On Wednesday, Maduro
called for a "peace conference" to ease tensions and calm the two-week long riots. Capriles has yet to accept, pointing to government corruption and police repression of student protesters.
Maduro is accusing Washington of instigating protests and
aiding the opposition to back regime change. He
expelled three U.S. diplomats from Caracas, accusing them of supporting the opposition's plot to overthrow his government. The U.S. State Department was quick to
respond , expelling three Venezuelan diplomats in retaliation.
The Stream's online community, including members of the Venezuelan diaspora, opposition supporters and pro-government 'Chavistas', have been expressing strong opinions concerning U.S. involvement. The Stream asked for thoughts on the U.S. role:
@AJAMStream The Venezuelan dictatorship has 'played' us for 14 years. No more. We must impose sanctions and intervene NOW.Diego A. Cisneros
@AJAMStream @julito77 US already sabotaged Venezuela’s electrical grid, attempted coup & is funding the opposition. What more is there?abby pepito
@AJAMStream Suspend visas and freeze assets of Venezuelan government officials who violate human rights, stop buying oil, economic sanctionsFrank
@AJAMStream @latinorebels Nothing! The U.S. has no business intervening. Open U.S. backing of the opposition would be toxic for them.Ofelia
The community was also asked whether Venezuela's opposition was in favor of U.S. intervention, triggering debate:
@julito77 @AJAMStream "Intervention" is a misnomer. The US is deeply involved alreadyDavid Kaib
@julito77 @AJAMStream The US gov has also continually portrayed democratically elected governments there as illegitimateDavid Kaib
@DavidKaib @julito77 @AJAMStream democratically elected? You clearly doesnt live in vzla.The elections in vzla=jokeFabiola Arrieta
@fabiolaarrieta @DavidKaib @julito77 @AJAMStream Do people forget that the US Government tried to overthrow Chavez back in 2002(I think)?Phil Perspective
What do you think? Should the U.S. get involved with what's happening in Venezuela? Leave a comment below.
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