Venezuela Sends Troops to Violence-Hit State


Venezuela Sends Troops to Violence-Hit State

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Venezuelan government ordered paratroopers to the state of Tachira, where demonstrations against the president, Nicolas Maduro, have been marred by violence.

"Violence in Tachira is related to mobsters, and bootleggers who are taking advantage of the situation and portraying it as political,” Jesus Salazar, a pro-government sociologist told Al Jazeera. “Kids wearing hoods are smashing property: Is that a peaceful demonstration?"

The current unrest, spurned in part by the arrest of opposition politician Leonardo Lopez, represents the biggest challenge to face Maduro since his election 11-months ago.

At least eight people, including government and opposition supporters, have died with dozens more injured in protests which began earlier this month and show no signs of relenting, Al Jazeera reported.

The conflict between Venezuela’s socialist government and market-driven opposition has spilled into the world of media, with the press credentials of four CNN journalists revoked on Friday over coverage of protests.

Maduro had accusing the broadcaster of waging a "propaganda war".

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