The demonstrations called for today by Voluntad Popular have been taking place since approximately 10:00 AM Caracas time.
The theme of the demonstration was to reinforce the fact that the opposition seeks constitutional political change in the country. That is, the opposition does not want to achieve any of its goals through illegal or unconstitutional means. As Leopoldo Lopez elaborated in his written defence, the constitution allows for political change outside of scheduled elections, which is that the opposition is proposing.
Maria Corina Machado explained that the only way forward for the country was through democratic and constitutional means. She called on Maduro to resign, and argued that it was the right of all Venezuelans to ask the same of the president. She explained:
Our objective is to hold presidential elections as soon as possible with a renovated CNE [National Electoral Council].
Freddy Guevara, the political coordinator of the Voluntad Popular party, stated the opposition’s mantra for change:
The street, the constitution, and voting.
The main concentration in Caracas met at the Plaza Brion in Chacaito. Maria Corina Machado was present:
As was David Smonlansky, mayor of El Hatillo:
Some more shots of the demonstration in Chacaito:
The sign reads “The Way for National Liberation – #LaSalida is Constitutional”:
Demonstrators in Guayana carrying a sign that reads “Maduro Resign”:
Unsure as to where this picture was taken. The signs read (from left to right): “In jail for thinking differently”, “We are all Leopoldo”, “We are all Simonovis”, and “Students [have been] detained and tortured”. The bottom of ever sign reads “Do not abandon us”:
Demonstrators in Pozuelos, Anzoategui state. The signs read (from left to right): “Free Leopoldo and the students”, “Down with the dictatorship”, “Free Venezuela” and “Free Jeremiah and Resplandor”:
Opinion
If there was any doubt that the opposition was seeking change through any means other than what is allowed in the constitution, it should have been put to rest by now. Yet this is one of the things the government likes to accuse the opposition of: that they’re terrorists bent on plunging the country into chaos as part of their coup d’etat plots.
However, the facts tell another story. As today’s comments from top opposition voices made clear, the way out of the government (the exit, or “La Salida”) is grounded entirely on what the constitution allows. As Leopoldo Lopez pointed out in his written defence, the opposition is looking for a change in the leadership of the country through one – or a combination – of the paths toward this very goal set out in the constitution.
The Venezuelan constitution allows for four ways to achieve political change outside of regularly scheduled elections. From Leopoldo Lopez’s written defence, page 17:
- The resignation of the President of the Republic (Article 233).
- Reform or amendment with the intention of reducing or shortening the period of rule, and proceeding to replace those responsible for the Government (Articles 340, 341 and 342).
- The call for a national constituent Assembly with the intention of transforming the State and restoring democracy and freedom in Venezuela (Articles 347 and 348).
Constitutions are fascinating documents. They are written with both eyes towards the future. They seek to entrench in the life blood of the nation laws that can help it survive any calamity. In the case of the articles mentioned above, they were very clearly included in the constitution precisely to help with a situation like the one the country finds itself in right now.
In a way, the articles above are the constitution’s way of telling us, “Are you stuck with a horrible government? Don’t worry, here are four things you are allowed to do to fix that”.
Maduro can kick and scream and cry foul all he wants. If the opposition is leaning on the constitution as strongly as it claims to be – and there is no good evidence to believe they’re being dishonest – then they and all Venezuelans who support them have a duty to seek to rescue the country using the tools their constitution gave them exactly for this cause.
In Venezuela 