Censorship claims amid anti-Govt protests in Venezuela

By Juan Parada

Masked protesters set piles of debris on fire in Caracas on Thursday night, as anti-government protests continued for the ninth day in the Venezuelan capital.

"We do not have a future. We are fighting for our future," said one protester.

Protesters around the country have been demonstrating against shortages of basic goods, high inflation and high crime levels.

President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters say the escalating protests against his socialist government are part of an attempted coup sponsored by right-wing and "fascist" opponents in Venezuela and abroad.

At a government event in the capital, he accused protesters of attacking rail workers during protests.

"Pick on me! I am the president, pick on me. There's no problem. Come against me. I do not care. But workers must be respected," Mr Maduro said.

Meanwhile, Henrique Capriles, Opposition leader and former presidential candidate, called on Thursday for the Government to "disarm illegal armed groups", who he claims are being used by the Government to target protesters.

"I ask for you [Mr Maduro] to disarm illegal armed groups, as it is not true that the arms of the Republic are only in the hands of the armed forces," he said in Caracas.

More than a week of protests, beginning with a mass opposition rally on February 12, has resulted in at least six deaths and more than 100 injuries, including beauty queen Genesis Carmona, shot in the head at a protest in the city of Valencia.

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Censorship claims amid anti-Govt protests in Venezuela