Caracas, April 10, 2017 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Anti-government demonstrators took to the streets of Caracas in violent protests Saturday following the announcement of a 15-year office ban on leading opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Organized by the main right-wing opposition coalition, the MUD, the demonstration saw thousands march from eastern Caracas towards the city center, sparking confrontations with authorities seeking to prevent clashes with government supporters rallying downtown.

Fourteen demonstrators were arrested for alleged links to violent incidents, including the vandalizing and attempted arson of a Supreme Court office, assault and robbery against state journalists, as well as attacks on authorities with Molotov cocktails and blunt objects.

Meanwhile, opposition spokespeople have claimed that several dozen people were injured in the unrest.

Capriles barred from office over “illicit” practices

On Friday, the Venezuelan Comptroller General’s office issued an order barring the former presidential candidate from holding political office, citing “illicit administrative” practices during his current tenure as governor of Miranda state.

According to the top ethics and transparency watchdog, Capriles reportedly signed international agreements with the British and Polish embassies without legal authorization, flouted mandated procedures in state contracting, and failed to present the 2013 state budget for approval by the regional legislature.

Capriles blasted the move as part of an alleged “self-coup” by the Maduro government in a statement on his official Twitter account. Peru, Argentina, and Mexico, whose right-wing governments have been among Venezuela’s most vocal critics, likewise issued public declarations condemning the measure.

The ban leaves Democratic Action (AD) leader Henry Ramos Allup as the likely opposition candidate in next year’s presidential elections. The former National Assembly president was recently endorsed by the hard-right Popular Will party, whose own leader, Leopoldo Lopez, is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for leading violent anti-government protests in 2014.

Opposition march turns violent

Saturday’s march began late morning at six meeting points in the wealthy eastern Caracas municipality of Chacao with the plan of converging on the Francisco Miranda Avenue.

However, the peaceful march soon turned violent after Miranda Governor Henrique Capriles announced the “surprise” destination at 12:30pm, rallying 3,000 opposition supporters gathered on Elice street to march on the National Ombudsman’s office in downtown Caracas, despite failing to receive the necessary permit from El Libertador Mayor Jorge Rodriguez.

Clashes with authorities subsequently ensued on Liberator Avenue, Sabana Grande Boulevard, and the Francisco Fajardo Highway, with masked protesters hurling rocks, bottles, and improvised explosive devices at state security personnel, who responded with tear gas in an effort to disperse the mobilizations.

Opposition protesters clash with authorities on Liberator Avenue in central Caracas. (AFP)

On Francisco Miranda Avenue, video footage shows hundreds of opposition supporters attacking a Supreme Court (TSJ) facility with Molotovs and other blunt objects taken from a nearby construction site, causing significant damage to the building’s exterior.

The incident evoked parallels with 2014’s guarimba protests that saw right-wing militants block roads as well as attack government supporters and public buildings.

Nine people have been arrested and indicted in connection with the violence, including two adolescents.

Anti-government demonstrators attack TSJ office in Chacao. (Horacio Siciliano)

Opposition leaders took to social media to condemn the attack as an act of “aggression”.

“We cannot endorse or accompany the aggression against the TSJ office in Chacao. This type of action only strengthens the dictatorship,” declared National Assembly Vice-President and Popular Will party leader Freddy Guevara via Twitter.

According to teleSUR correspondent Madelein Garcia, Saturday’s protests also saw opposition supporters reviving other 2014 guarimba tactics, including drenching roads in oil to provoke motorcycle accidents and stringing cables along thoroughfares to decapitate motorcyclists. Six people lost their lives in 2014 due to these tactics.

A camera crew for the state television network VTV likewise reported being assaulted and mugged by protesters while covering the opposition march. In a video taken at the demonstration, a crowd of opposition supporters can be seen descending on VTV journalist Carlos Sanchez and cameraman Johny Verdu, attacking both men and attempting to steal the camera. Sanchez was robbed of his wallet and two mobile phones, while Verdu’s camera was reportedly damaged.

In total, Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor’s office has confirmed that it will be indicting fourteen people for offences allegedly committed during the day’s protests.

Tense standoff

Saturday is the latest in over a week of anti-government demonstrations convened by the MUD to demand “respect for the National Assembly, humanitarian aid, freeing of political prisoners, and elections”.

Over the last week, opposition supporters have repeatedly clashed with state security forces attempting to prevent confrontations between pro and anti-government marches in central Caracas.

The demonstrations have likewise included widespread acts of violence, including Thursday’s ransacking of the Gustavo Herrera public elementary school in Chacao and the use of hundreds of its desks and chairs in makeshift barricades.

Protesters damage sections of the Francisco Fajardo Highway on Thursday. (AP)

This recent wave of protest comes amid a tense institutional standoff that has seen the opposition-held parliament attempt to remove the justices of the Supreme Court over a pair of controversial March 29 rulings that temporarily authorized the judiciary to assume certain legislative functions in light of the National Assembly’s contempt of court.

The rulings were subsequently reversed on April 1, and the national ombudsman – who heads the Moral Republican Council tasked with overseeing the other branches of government – declared Thursday that the TSJ justices had committed no fault that would merit their dismissal.

Nonetheless, anti-government mobilizations have continued with more protests planned for Monday and Wednesday of this week.

Opposition spokespeople have indicated that the demonstrations will continue until the government fulfills all of their demands, including bringing forward presidential elections constitutionally fixed for 2018.