![Riot security forces uses a pepper spray as elderly opposition supporters confront them while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160134Z_1428531822_RC1BE93A2BA0_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C466)
Cientos de ancianos marchaban este viernes hacia el centro de Caracas, en una nueva jornada de protesta opositora contra el presidente Nicolás Maduro, desatándose escaramuzas en medio de las cuales la policía dispersó gas pimienta.
La llamada “marcha de los abuelos” fue bloqueada en el sector de Chacaíto (este de la ciudad) por agentes provistos de escudos, lo que originó un forcejo con los manifestantes, observaron periodistas de la AFP.
Exaltados, algunos hombres mayores lanzaron golpes y gruesos insultos a los uniformados, entre ellos muchas mujeres, que permanecieron impasibles.
“¿Vas a golpear a tus papás? ¡Somos una pila de viejos!”, gritaron algunos a los policías, que dispersaron gas pimienta para hacer retroceder a la multitud.
La marcha continuó por otra ruta hacia su destino, la Defensoría del Pueblo, como resultado de un acuerdo entre un oficial y los participantes, pero volvió a ser bloqueada en una zona donde había tanquetas militares.
Las protestas opositoras iniciadas el 1 de abril, con saldo de 38 muertos, no han logrado llegar al corazón de la capital, donde se ubican el palacio presidencial de Miraflores y las sedes de los poderes públicos.
“Fue horrible, nos tiraron gas pimienta en la cara. No tienen compasión ni de los viejitos”, dijo a la AFP Sandra Franchi, de 65 años.
El gobierno realiza una concentración de adultos mayores en el centro de Caracas, en la que participará Maduro, quien el jueves despidió a su ministra de Salud, Antonieta Caporale, tras la divulgación de cifras oficiales esta semana que mostraron un deterioro en salud pública.
Esos datos revelaron que la mortalidad infantil aumentó 30,12% en 2016 y la materna un 65%, mientras repuntan enfermedades como la malaria.
– “Ya hemos vivido suficiente” –
En choques cada vez más frontales, los antimotines suelen lanzar bombas lacrimógenas y chorros de agua a presión, a los que jóvenes manifestantes, encapuchados y con escudos de madera y metal, responden con piedras, cócteles molotov, bombas de pintura y hasta de excrementos.
“Estoy aquí porque no tengo medicinas y la pensión no me alcanza para nada”, declaró a la AFP Carlos Rivas, de 67 años, con unas cajas de medicamentos vacías.
Desde que estallaron las protestas el 1 de abril para exigir la salida de Maduro -elegido hasta 2019-, los disturbios dejan además centenares de heridos y detenidos, de los cuales un centenar fueron enviados a prisión por orden de tribunales militares.
Las protestas tienen como caldo de cultivo el malestar popular ante la severa escasez de alimentos y medicinas. Según encuestas privadas, siete de cada diez venezolanos rechaza la gestión de Maduro.
El gobierno reivindica haber otorgado seis millones de pensiones, pero la oposición asegura que han sido carcomidas por la inflación, que según el FMI cerraría este año en 720%.
Las protestas exigen elecciones generales y rechazan una Asamblea Nacional Constituyente que convocó Maduro el 1 de mayo.
Emilio Lozada, presidente de la Federación de Pensionados y Jubilados de Venezuela, aseguró que la marcha es por “los nietos, contra la represión y la Constituyente”.
“A esos policías que pueden ser nuestros hijos o nietos les pedimos que no actúen en contra de nosotros porque ya hemos vivido suficiente y nuestra vida se puede quedar en el camino, pero lograremos el objetivo”, advirtió Benítez.
– A caballo o en moto –
Maduro acusa a la oposición de declarar una “insurgencia armada” para darle un “golpe de Estado”.
Y, para “lograr la paz” y “derrotar a los violentos”, el mandatario impulsa una Constituyente “popular”, que la oposición considera un “fraude” para evadir elecciones y afianzarse en el poder.
“Nada ni nadie nos va a detener, lograremos neutralizar esta emboscada. Venezuela exige que cese la ‘guarimba’ (protesta violenta), el llamado al golpe de Estado”, advirtió el presidente socialista.
El gobierno acusa a Estados Unidos de financiar y dar “apoyo logístico” a los “grupos violentos” de la oposición, y afirma que la “violencia vandálica y extrema” también se debe a decisiones “intervencionistas” de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA).
La oposición mantiene repleta su agenda de protestas y convocó para el sábado a caravanas de vehículos en todo el país, y el domingo a una marcha con motivo del Día de la Madre.
AFP
Fotos Reuters y AFP
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC4E8.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC4EE.jpg?resize=640%2C435)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Opposition activists clash with riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC40Y.jpg?resize=640%2C373)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC41M.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC41U.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC42P.jpg?resize=640%2C444)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC42S.jpg?resize=640%2C437)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC46O.jpg?resize=640%2C496)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO / ALTERNATIVE CROP](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC46V.jpg?resize=640%2C432)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO / ALTERNATIVE CROP
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC48A.jpg?resize=640%2C465)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC48G.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC416.jpg?resize=640%2C436)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC424.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists clash with riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC426.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC476.jpg?resize=640%2C426)
/ AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC483.jpg?resize=640%2C423)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Opposition activists confront riot police during a protest against the government in Caracas on May 12, 2017. Daily clashes between demonstrators -who blame elected President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused food shortage- and security forces have left 38 people dead since April 1. Protesters demand early elections, accusing Maduro of repressing protesters and trying to install a dictatorship. / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/000_OC486.jpg?resize=640%2C523)
/ AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRA
![Elderly opposition supporters rally against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T155306Z_1106602858_RC14C8A8A2D0_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C436)
![Elderly opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160112Z_1507535813_RC1B61CA8F40_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C462)
![Elderly opposition supporters rally against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160116Z_1499453158_RC12E112E920_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
![Elderly opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160119Z_1195081950_RC1C381DC230_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C467)
![Elderly opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160139Z_1521642610_RC1ADF112C70_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C448)
![Elderly opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160140Z_952878460_RC163FD90390_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
![Riot security forces uses a pepper spray as elderly opposition supporters confront them while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160145Z_23574905_RC1B7F8FCFB0_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C463)
![Riot security forces uses a pepper spray as elderly opposition supporters confront them while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160159Z_200180501_RC138CC74CB0_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C443)
![An elderly opposition supporter confronts riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T160459Z_516680548_RC12E2F1E100_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
![Ancianos enfrentan a las fuerzas de seguridad mientras protestan contra el presidente Nicolás Maduro en Caracas, Venezuela, 12 de mayo de 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins - RTS16DQU](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T170807Z_2_LYNXMPED4B1KI_RTROPTP_3_VENEZUELA-PROTESTAS.jpg?resize=640%2C430)
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![Ancianos enfrentan a las fuerzas de seguridad mientras protestan contra el presidente Nicolás Maduro en Caracas, Venezuela, 12 de mayo de 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins - RTS16DFW](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T170807Z_2_LYNXMPED4B1KQ_RTROPTP_3_VENEZUELA-PROTESTAS.jpg?resize=640%2C447)
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![A police officer uses pepper spray as opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T174615Z_1524180684_RC1799DBAB30_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
![Opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T181234Z_1689996431_RC1D2C6A4310_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C437)
![An opposition supporter confronts riot security forces with a sign that reads "No more repression" during a rally against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T181459Z_1694841581_RC19DE684990_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C447)
![Opposition supporters confront riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T183154Z_1741811693_RC1508686A40_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)
![Opposition supporters confront riot security forces with a sign that reads "No to constituent assembly, yes to food and medicines" while rallying against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins](https://lapatilla.1eye.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12T183155Z_688553833_RC1D00438D20_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=640%2C427)