Anti-government protesters face-off with security forces blocking them from marching to the Supreme Court, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday. Protesters marched through the Venezuelan capital, chanting and waving flags in an escalating push to stop President Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution. National guard troops launched tear gas in at least one location in Caracas, blocking protesters with clouds of white gas and rows of officers on motorcycles. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) </s> Venezuela Supreme Court judge flees to US to protest Maduro

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Venezuelan Supreme Court justice who has been a longtime government loyalist has fled to the U.S., saying he's protesting President Nicolas Maduro's plans for a second term.

Christian Zerpa told Miami-based broadcaster EVTV that Venezuela's high court has become an appendage of Maduro's inner circle since he and a group of ruling party members were appointed to the bench in 2015.

He said Sunday that he decided to break with Maduro because he didn't want to play a role legitimizing his rule when the Supreme Court swears him in for a second term this week.

Supreme Court chief justice Maikel Moreno said Sunday that Zerpa fled to escape allegations of sexual harassment.

Zerpa is among top Venezuelan officials who have been sanctioned by Canada. </s> Venezuela's opposition calls a fresh 48-hour general strike against embattled President Nicolas Maduro's plans to have the constitution rewritten

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela's opposition on Saturday, July 22, called a fresh 48-hour general strike against embattled President Nicolas Maduro's plans to have the constitution rewritten giving him broader powers.

"We are calling out the entire (Venezuelan) people, all groups in society, for a 48-hour strike" Wednesday and Thursday lawmaker Simon Calzadilla said.

With anti-government marchers still clearing streets Saturday, Calzadilla said that the strike would be capped on Friday, July 28, with a march demanding that Maduro officially scrap his planned Constituent Assembly vote. It is scheduled for Sunday, July 30.

Earlier police on motorcycles fired tear gas to break up an opposition march on the Supreme Court to press demands that elected socialist Maduro leave office, as months of sometimes deadly anti-government demonstrations showed no signs of abating.

That rally was also meant as a show of support for a slate of 33 magistrates – a so-called shadow supreme court – whose names were put forward Friday, July 21, by the opposition to replace Venezuela's current high court, which is closely allied with Maduro and frequently rules in his favor.

Emboldened by a nationwide strike on Thursday, July 20, that paralyzed parts of the capital Caracas and other Venezuelan cities, opposition leaders held a mock swearing-in ceremony Friday for the shadow court's new "judges."

Many of the actual court's justices were hastily appointed shortly before Maduro's ruling party lost its majority in congress.

The shadow court has strong support from the demonstrators, organizers said Saturday.

"Everyone has given their backing to the new Supreme Court," tweeted Freddy Guevara, a leader of the opposition-led congress.

"We support the new judges because they will restore independence to the Supreme Court," said 43-year-old demonstrator Luis Torrealba, marching with his wife and teenage son.

In Saturday's march, hundreds of people took to a key Caracas motorway to head downtown toward the court building. But uniformed National Guard troops riding motorcycles fired tear gas to disperse them.

Wuilly Arteaga, a violinist who has become a celebrity for playing at many opposition marches, was injured and taken to a clinic. The 23-year-old was seen with blood pouring from cuts on the left side of his face. He said later he had been struck with buckshot.

"They are not going to frighten me," Arteaga said in a video he posted on Twitter. He is seen in a hospital bed with bandages on his face and swollen lips. "We are going to keep fighting."

The Venezuelan intelligence service arrested one of the shadow judges, Angel Zerpa Aponte, the opposition-controlled National Assembly said on Twitter.

The swearing-in of a shadow judiciary was condemned by the government as "incitement to subversion" and an act of "treason," and officials threatened to throw the dissidents into prison.

Venezuela is in the throes of a political and economic crisis that has led to shortages of basic goods and soaring inflation.

With the situation already inflamed, the stakes have risen further, after the United States threatened economic sanctions if Maduro proceeds with a controversial July 30 election of a body to rewrite the constitution.

The president has vowed to maintain the July 30 election of 545 members to the "Constitutional Assembly."

Saturday's protests, like many others since April, were organized by the Democratic Unity Roundtable, a coalition of political opposition groups.

The number of deaths in protests across the country since April has reached 103 – about one fatality per day. – Rappler.com </s> Venezuela's opposition has called a fresh 48-hour general strike against embattled President Nicolas Maduro's plans to have the constitution rewritten giving him broader powers.

The walk-out comes as violent and sometimes deadly protests continue amid a political and economic crisis that has led to shortages of basic goods and soaring inflation.

"We are calling out the entire people, all groups in society, for a 48-hour strike" Wednesday and Thursday, lawmaker Simon Calzadilla said.

Calzadilla said that the strike would be capped on Friday with a march demanding that Maduro officially scrap his Constituent Assembly vote scheduled for July 30.

Earlier on Saturday, police on motorcycles fired tear gas to break up an opposition march on the Supreme Court to press demands that elected socialist Maduro leave office.

That rally was also meant as a show of support for a slate of 33 magistrates -- a so-called shadow supreme court -- whose names were put forward Friday by the opposition to replace Venezuela's current high court, which is closely allied with Maduro and frequently rules in his favor.

Emboldened by a nationwide strike on Thursday that paralyzed parts of the capital Caracas and other Venezuelan cities, opposition leaders held a mock swearing-in ceremony Friday for the shadow court's new "judges."

Many of the actual court's justices were hastily appointed shortly before Maduro's ruling party lost its majority in congress.

"Everyone has given their backing to the new Supreme Court," tweeted Freddy Guevara, a leader of the opposition-led congress.

"We support the new judges because they will restore independence to the Supreme Court," said 43-year-old demonstrator Luis Torrealba, marching with his wife and teenage son.

Their swearing in was condemned by the government as "incitement to subversion" and an act of "treason," and officials threatened to throw the dissidents into prison.

One of the judges was arrested by intelligence services, the National Assembly said on Twitter.

Maduro said the opposition's bid to derail the constitutional assembly would fail.

"We are going to be implacable if they try to use violence to stop what cannot be stopped," the president warned on television.

In Saturday's march, hundreds of people took to a key Caracas motorway to head downtown toward the court building. But uniformed National Guard troops riding motorcycles fired tear gas to disperse them.

Wuilly Arteaga, a violinist who has gained celebrity for playing at many marches, was injured and taken to a clinic.

The 23-year-old was seen with blood pouring from cuts on the left side of his face. He said later he had been struck with buckshot.

"They are not going to frighten me," Arteaga said in a video he posted on Twitter.

The musician became an icon of the protest movement when he was pictured calmly weaving through tear gas with his violin on his shoulder, playing the classic Venezuelan folk song "Alma Llanera."

Immortalized in photographs from that performance during a demonstration on May 8, he said he meant it as a "message of peace."

With the situation already inflamed, the stakes have risen further, after the United States threatened economic sanctions if Maduro proceeds with his controversial vote for a body to rewrite the constitution.

The president has vowed to maintain the election of 545 members to the Constitutional Assembly.

Saturday's demonstrations, like many others since April, were organized by the Democratic Unity Roundtable, a coalition of political opposition groups.

The number of deaths in protests across the country since April has reached 103 -- about one fatality per day.

Datanalisis surveys have shown that more than 70 percent of Venezuelans reject Maduro's leadership.

But the president has brushed aside moves to oust him because he can count on the loyalty of the Venezuelan military, which has been given control of swaths of the economy. </s> CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has been tear-gassed during a protest in the capital.

The former presidential candidate was gassed Monday by soldiers who were trying to control an opposition protest that blocked a highway.

His bodyguards helped him get out of the scrum of protesters. Capriles says soldiers assaulted members of his team as they tried to move away from the crowd.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, center, takes cover from tear gas during a march towards the Ombudsman's Office in protest of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 29, 2017. Protests against Maduro's government have left dozens dead in the last two months. The opposition wants immediate presidential elections and the liberation of political prisoners. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

The demonstrators had been trying to make their way to a government office in the center of Caracas, but were blocked by hundreds of soldiers in riot gear and armored cars.

Such scenes have played out again and again during two months of near-daily protests by opponents of Venezuela's socialist government.

A protester injured by a glass marble fired by security forces is carried away as an opposition march against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is blocked from reaching the Ombudsman's Office in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 29, 2017. Protests against Maduro's government have left dozens dead in the last two months. The opposition wants immediate presidential elections and the liberation of political prisoners. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Protesters confront security forces blocking them from marching to the Ombudsman's Office to protest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 29, 2017. Protests against Maduro's government have left dozens dead in the last two months. The opposition wants immediate presidential elections and the liberation of political prisoners. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Security forces spray a water canon at opposition protesters marching to the Ombudsman's Office to protest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 29, 2017. Protests against Maduro's government have left dozens dead in the last two months. The opposition wants immediate presidential elections and the liberation of political prisoners. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A man carries a weeping boy away from clashes with security forces during a march towards the Ombudsman's Office to protest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 29, 2017. Protests against Maduro's government have left dozens dead in the last two months. The opposition wants immediate presidential elections and the liberation of political prisoners. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) </s> Demonstrators are taking to the streets of Venezuela to protest President Maduro in what is potentially going to become a large scale march

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The latest on opposition and pro-government marches in Venezuela. (all times local):

Rodriguez spoke Wednesday during a visit to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, referring to dueling opposition and pro-government marches being held the same day in the South American country.

The Cuban official notes that Venezuela is a sovereign state with a democratically elected government.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. State Department of encouraging Venezuelan opponents to attempting a government overthrow. American officials have rejected such charges in the past.

Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have called on Venezuelans to take to the streets for what they’ve dubbed the “mother of all marches” against the embattled socialist leader.

Demonstrators are converging from 26 different points spread across the capital to attempt to march downtown to the Ombudsman’s office. It’s a route tens of thousands of angry protesters have attempted a half-dozen times in the past few weeks only to find their progress blocked by light-armored vehicles and a curtain of tear gas and rubber bullets fired by riot police officers.

At least five deaths have been blamed on the strong-armed response to protests that were triggered by the government-stacked Supreme Court’s decision three weeks ago to strip the opposition-controlled congress of its last remaining powers. </s> Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Venezuela during marches taking place Wednesday in at least 12 cities across the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to protest the government of President Nicolás Maduro as the country marked its 207th anniversary of the revolution that led to its independence from Spain.

A teenager who was shot in the head in Caracas near one of the protests has died in the hospital, according to the Associated Press. Opponents of the government said pro-government militias opened fire on a crowd, but government officials say the boy was assaulted while walking home from a soccer game.

Marches started in the early morning; closer to noon, the Venezuelan National Guard started deploying tear gas on people marching on the west side of Caracas, according to the Associated Press.

Liliana Machuca, a teacher in Caracas told the AP she believes protesting is her only option after all the "abuses" she says have been committed by the government.

"This is like a chess game and each side is moving whatever pieces they can. ... we'll see who tires out first," she said.

The country entered its fourth week of protests following two Supreme Court decisions — to revoke the impunity that protects legislators and to dissolve the opposition-controlled legislature, a move that many including the Organization of American States (AOS) dubbed as an "auto-coup d'etat."

The Supreme Court reversed the decisions amid mounting international pressure and after the Venezuelan Attorney General, Luisa Ortega Díaz, called the decisions "a rupture of the constitutional order."

Since then, people have been protesting for the removal of the Supreme Court Justices, the reinstatement of gubernatorial and local elections, the release of the political prisoners and ultimately, Maduro's resignation.

RELATED: Mother of Jailed Venezuelan Opposition Leader: Americans Need to Know People 'Are Suffering'

"I went to the rally because I wanted to get those images of what's going on, of people protesting. I know it'll help us get rid of this government," Hector Trejo told NBC News. Trejo, 47, is a photographer for El Estímulo magazine covering Western Caracas. "But it's hard because when government supporters see you with a camera they send motorcycles to try and grab it from you," he added.

Human rights organizations, several Latin American countries and the United States have accused Venezuelan security forces of using excessive force and violence to quash the protesters. Protesting is a right protected by the Venezuelan constitution. During this last wave, at least five people have died and hundreds have been arrested.

Maduro accused the U.S. State Department of encouraging a military intervention.

The country is in the middle of an economic crisis with an inflation rate that reached 800 percent in January. People are starving and the lack of medication and supplies has led to deaths.

"I came to march because I believe in this country and I want our youth to have a future; Venezuelans want to stay," said Mercedes Expósito, 53, who told NBC News that people say they want to stay in the marches though they're "choking from the tear gas; they will wait until the government runs out of its bombs." </s> President Nicolas Maduro urged Venezuela's Supreme Court early Saturday to review a decision stripping congress of its last powers, a ruling that set off a storm of criticism from the opposition and foreign governments.

The announcement came just hours before the opposition hoped to mount big protests against the socialist government, spurred by anger over the ruling.

In an address early after a Friday night meeting presided over by Maduro, the National Security Council announced that was supporting a review by the court "with the goal of maintaining institutional stability."

The announcement capped an extraordinary day in which Venezuela's chief prosecutor and long-time loyalist of the socialist government broke with the Maduro administration and denounced the court ruling. Luisa Ortega Diaz said it was her "unavoidable historical duty" as the nation's top judicial authority to decry the ruling against the opposition-controlled National Assembly as a "rupture" of the constitutional order.

"We call for reflection so that the democratic path can be retaken," she said to the loud applause of aides gathered around her.

Maduro called the meeting of the council seeking to calm the political uproar, though at least one key member refused to attend while criticism from other governments mounted.

Dressed in black and waving a small blue book containing the Venezuelan constitution early in the televised meeting, Maduro likened the international condemnation of this week's Supreme Court decision to a "political lynching."

About a dozen officials were present at the session, but among those notably absent was congress president Julio Borges, who said the meeting was no more than a circus act created for a convenient photo opportunity by the same person the opposition blames for the country's troubles.

"In Venezuela the only dialogue possible is the vote," Borges said.

On Friday, troops from the National Guard fired buckshot and swung batons at students protesting in front of the Supreme Court. A few people were arrested and some journalists covering the demonstration had their cameras taken. A few other, small protests popped up elsewhere in the capital.

Larger demonstrations were expected Saturday in what opposition leaders hoped would be a big turnout to denounce Maduro and call for elections.

"We all have to get out — for the dignity of our country, the dignity of our children and the dignity of Venezuela," Borges said in urging Venezuelans to join in protests Saturday.

The Supreme Court ruled late Wednesday that until lawmakers abided by previous rulings that nullified all legislation passed by congress, the high court could assume the constitutionally assigned powers of the National Assembly, which has been controlled by the opposition since it won a landslide victory in elections in late 2015..

Friday brought a second day of condemnations of the ruling by the United States and governments across Latin America. The head of the Organization of American States likened the decision to a "self-inflicted coup" by the leftist Maduro, and the United Nations' top human rights official urged the high court to reverse its decision.

The OAS announced that it would hold an emergency meeting at its Washington headquarters Monday to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

Opposition leaders, who have been during 17 years of socialist rule, called on other public officials to follow Ortega Diaz's example in repudiating the court's ruling. Some urged the military, the traditional arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela, to defend the constitution drafted by late President Hugo Chavez.

"You have a new opportunity to show the country and international community if you are with the dictatorship or want your children and grandchildren to grow and live in a country where there's democracy and liberty," said David Smolansky, a Caracas area mayor.

The normally ever-present Maduro was conspicuously silent during much of the two days of turmoil, but then he went on state TV to argue that Venezuela's institutions are operating normally. Alluding to criticism of the court's ruling, he said it is the government's "right-wing, fascist" opponents who are attempting to break the constitutional order, but said his foes would be left with "their cold champagne, uncorked,"

Still, Maduro also called for renewed dialogue between the government and the opposition, saying that is the only path to resolving Venezuela's political crisis.

"I'm ready with whoever is willing," he said.

Colombia, Chile and Peru withdrew their ambassadors over the ruling. "This clearly destroys the most important pillar of any democracy, which is popular representation," Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said.

The South American trade bloc Mercosur, which suspended Venezuela in December, called an emergency meeting for Saturday in Argentina to discuss the crisis.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said the organization would hold a special session Monday to assess the situation in Venezuela. The OAS already held two meetings this week on Venezuela that ended with 20 governments led by the U.S. and Mexico voicing deep concern but no concrete actions to hold Maduro accountable.

Maduro's government says the Supreme Court ruling isn't meant to supplant congress but rather to guarantee the rule of law as long as legislators obstruct efforts to adopt a budget and make decisions on Venezuela's slumping economy, which is beset with triple-digit inflation and food shortages.

"It's untrue that a coup has taken place in Venezuela," the government said in a statement. "On the contrary, the institutions have taken corrective legal action to stop the distractive, coup-like actions of an opposition that has declared itself openly in contempt of the decisions made by the republic's top court." </s> President Nicolas Maduro urged Venezuela's Supreme Court early Saturday to review a decision stripping congress of its last powers, a ruling that set off a storm of criticism from the opposition and foreign governments.

The announcement came just hours before the opposition hoped to mount big protests against the socialist government, spurred by anger over the ruling.

In an address early after a Friday night meeting presided over by Maduro, the National Security Council announced that was supporting a review by the court "with the goal of maintaining institutional stability."

The announcement capped an extraordinary day in which Venezuela's chief prosecutor and long-time loyalist of the socialist government broke with the Maduro administration and denounced the court ruling. Luisa Ortega Diaz said it was her "unavoidable historical duty" as the nation's top judicial authority to decry the ruling against the opposition-controlled National Assembly as a "rupture" of the constitutional order.

"We call for reflection so that the democratic path can be retaken," she said to the loud applause of aides gathered around her.

Maduro called the meeting of the council seeking to calm the political uproar, though at least one key member refused to attend while criticism from other governments mounted.

Dressed in black and waving a small blue book containing the Venezuelan constitution early in the televised meeting, Maduro likened the international condemnation of this week's Supreme Court decision to a "political lynching."

About a dozen officials were present at the session, but among those notably absent was congress president Julio Borges, who said the meeting was no more than a circus act created for a convenient photo opportunity by the same person the opposition blames for the country's troubles.

"In Venezuela the only dialogue possible is the vote," Borges said.

On Friday, troops from the National Guard fired buckshot and swung batons at students protesting in front of the Supreme Court. A few people were arrested and some journalists covering the demonstration had their cameras taken. A few other, small protests popped up elsewhere in the capital.

Larger demonstrations were expected Saturday in what opposition leaders hoped would be a big turnout to denounce Maduro and call for elections.

"We all have to get out — for the dignity of our country, the dignity of our children and the dignity of Venezuela," Borges said in urging Venezuelans to join in protests Saturday.

The Supreme Court ruled late Wednesday that until lawmakers abided by previous rulings that nullified all legislation passed by congress, the high court could assume the constitutionally assigned powers of the National Assembly, which has been controlled by the opposition since it won a landslide victory in elections in late 2015..

Friday brought a second day of condemnations of the ruling by the United States and governments across Latin America. The head of the Organization of American States likened the decision to a "self-inflicted coup" by the leftist Maduro, and the United Nations' top human rights official urged the high court to reverse its decision.

The OAS announced that it would hold an emergency meeting at its Washington headquarters Monday to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

Opposition leaders, who have been during 17 years of socialist rule, called on other public officials to follow Ortega Diaz's example in repudiating the court's ruling. Some urged the military, the traditional arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela, to defend the constitution drafted by late President Hugo Chavez.

"You have a new opportunity to show the country and international community if you are with the dictatorship or want your children and grandchildren to grow and live in a country where there's democracy and liberty," said David Smolansky, a Caracas area mayor.

The normally ever-present Maduro was conspicuously silent during much of the two days of turmoil, but then he went on state TV to argue that Venezuela's institutions are operating normally. Alluding to criticism of the court's ruling, he said it is the government's "right-wing, fascist" opponents who are attempting to break the constitutional order, but said his foes would be left with "their cold champagne, uncorked,"

Still, Maduro also called for renewed dialogue between the government and the opposition, saying that is the only path to resolving Venezuela's political crisis.

"I'm ready with whoever is willing," he said.

Colombia, Chile and Peru withdrew their ambassadors over the ruling. "This clearly destroys the most important pillar of any democracy, which is popular representation," Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said.

The South American trade bloc Mercosur, which suspended Venezuela in December, called an emergency meeting for Saturday in Argentina to discuss the crisis.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said the organization would hold a special session Monday to assess the situation in Venezuela. The OAS already held two meetings this week on Venezuela that ended with 20 governments led by the U.S. and Mexico voicing deep concern but no concrete actions to hold Maduro accountable.

Maduro's government says the Supreme Court ruling isn't meant to supplant congress but rather to guarantee the rule of law as long as legislators obstruct efforts to adopt a budget and make decisions on Venezuela's slumping economy, which is beset with triple-digit inflation and food shortages.

"It's untrue that a coup has taken place in Venezuela," the government said in a statement. "On the contrary, the institutions have taken corrective legal action to stop the distractive, coup-like actions of an opposition that has declared itself openly in contempt of the decisions made by the republic's top court."

Associated Press writer Jorge Rueda reported this story in Caracas and AP writer Joshua Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia.
Protesters march towards Venezuelan Supreme Court against what they feel is bias in favor of President Nicolas Maduro.