Led by women dressed in white, several thousand Venezuelans marched through Caracas yesterday in the first of what the opposition hopes will be escalating protests against the quashing of a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro.
The opposition coalition, seeking to end 17 years of socialism in the South American Opec nation, claims the suspension of its drive for a plebiscite against the unpopular leader shows Venezuela has abandoned democracy.
“We’re here to demand respect for the constitution, for Venezuelans to have elections,” said human resources worker Nayiber Bracho, 35, marching under a hot sun in a crowd with banners, whistles and pets.
The marchers closed one lane of a major highway.
They were headed by Lilian Tintori and Patricia Gutierrez, both wives of jailed political leaders and advocates of hardline tactics against the government.
“There’s no obstacle that can defeat Venezuelan mothers, fighting for the future of their children,” said Tintori, who has called for civil disobedience in Venezuela.
The election board halted the referendum process this week citing court orders based on government allegations of fraud during an initial signature drive.
That left Maduro, who won an election to succeed Hugo Chavez in 2013, on track to complete the six-year term.
Government officials have been exulting at the referendum’s failure, saying the opposition is to blame for delaying the process and then committing fraud by adding names of minors and dead people to their first signature drive.
 The opposition is stepping up its campaign against the government as the nation of 30mn  people suffers a third year of brutal recession.
While foes blame failed socialist policies for the crisis, Maduro points to the steep slump in oil prices and alleges a US-led “economic war” against his government.
Yesterday’s march is to be followed by a special session today of the National Assembly, which the opposition won in December elections.
Then the Democratic Unity coalition has promised nationwide rallies dubbed “The Takeover of Venezuela” for Wednesday.