Venezuela President-elect Maduro bans opposition rally

BBC News, 16 April 2013

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Mr Maduro has blamed the opposition
for violent clashes

Venezuela's President-elect Nicolas Maduro says he will not allow the opposition to go ahead with a rally planned for Wednesday in Caracas.

Mr Maduro blamed the opposition for violent clashes after he was proclaimed winner of Sunday's disputed poll.

The attorney general said seven people had died in the violence.

But opposition leader Henrique Capriles said the government was responsible for the violence as it sought to avoid a vote recount.

In addition to the seven who died, Attorney General Luisa Ortega said more than 60 people were injured and 139 arrested during violent clashes at opposition protests.

She said some offices had been set on fire and public property destroyed.

Mr Maduro said the government would not be blackmailed, and he called on Venezuelans to remain peaceful.

For his part, Mr Capriles accused the government of orchestrating the violence to avoid a recount, something which he has been demanding.

Mr Capriles also earlier repeated his call for peaceful demonstrations.

He has said he will not accept the election results until all the votes are counted again, and he has called Mr Maduro "illegitimate."