Thousands of Venezuelans prepared to protest once again Saturday as opposition leader Juan Guaido cranks up the pressure on beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro and the lights came back on following an electricity blackout that caused chaos in the crisis-wracked country.
Both Guaido and Maduro, who are locked in a bitter power struggle for the right to lead the oil-rich South American nation, have asked their supporters to fill the streets of Caracas and other cities. "I call on the Venezuelan people to make a huge statement in the streets against the usurper, corrupt and incapable regime that has plunged our country into darkness," Guaido wrote on Twitter.
"We return to the streets and we won't leave until we reach the goal," said the 35-year-old National Assembly leader, who is recognized by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president. Guaido is trying to force out Maduro - whose re-election in May he deems illegitimate - in order to set up new elections.
Early Saturday, riot police were out in force at the site of Guaido's proposed protest. Opposition lawmakers denounced the overnight arrest of three people who were setting up a stage at the opposition rally site. Maduro has asked his backers to march against "imperialism."
The mounting political pressure comes as services slowly returned to normal in Caracas and the states of Miranda and Vargas, home to the country's international airport and main port. "The US empire once again underestimates the conscience and determination of Venezuela's people," Maduro tweeted.
"I assure them that every attempt at imperial aggression will be met with a forceful response from the patriots who love and valiantly defend our homeland." The western regions of Barinas, Tachira and Zulia remained without electricity while in other states the supply was proving unstable.
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