Venezuelans demand justice after 3 die during protest

Thousands of pro-government Venezuelans Thursday demanded the country's attorney-general extend justice in dealing with an violent anti-government protest in Caracas that led to 3 deaths, 66 injures and the ransacking of the Public Prosecutor's Office building. Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz told supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that justice will be shown in this case and the Venezuelan people should keep calm and peaceful after the violence. "Our institution has been cowardly attacked, its workers have been threatened, but that is not going to prevent us from doing our job and give justice to those affected by this violence," said Ortega. Caracas has been struck by anti-government demonstrations over the past two weeks. The biggest one that took place Wednesday in the central city quickly turned violent and caused casualties. Three people died when gunmen opened fire as a rally of 10,000 was reportedly winding down and remaining protestors were clashing with police. There were also sporadic student protests around the capital city, with some blocking streets and burning tires. On Thursday, a local court ordered to arrest opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, accusing him of murders and spreading terrorism by organizing street protests around the country for weeks. On the previously day, Lopez was denounced by Maduro for designing a coup to overthrow him, similar to the one that briefly ousted late President Hugo Chavez 12 years ago. "Without a doubt, the violence was created by small groups coordinated, exalted and financed by Leopoldo Lopez," said Jorge Rodriguez, leader of the ruling Socialist Party and mayor of Caracas. Using slogan "The Exit," over the last two weeks Lopez has reportedly helped organize demonstrations around the country to denounce the president for failing to control inflation, crime and product shortages. Students are also said to be campaigning for the release of classmates detained during marches. The opposition blames Maduro's government for failing to control inflation, increasing crime rate and shortages of life necessities in the South American country in recent years. The government is also accused of using armed militant groups to attack protesters, which caused hundreds of arrests and disappearances, in a bid to divide the opposition and spread fear. The accusations have been denied by various government officials. Another opposition leader Henrique Capriles also told a press conference after Wednesday's violence that the protest was provoked by Maduro's government, adding the opposition would not achieve the government change they had pursued with violence. On Thursday, the capital city could still see sporadic student protests, street blockades and fire burning without the intervention of security forces. Many residents had to stay at home for security concerns. Almost a year after the death of former president Hugo Chavez, the unrest has been the latest demonstration of the polarization and the mutual mistrust between political sides, despite the government's call for dialogue and various meetings between Maduro and his political enemies.