Students call for the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro during a march in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Anti-government protesters face off with Bolivarian National Guards blocking a student march from reaching the Education Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
National Guard personnel on motorcylces get ready to crack down on demonstrators during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRAFEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators clash with riot police, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Bolivarian National Guard officers block students attempting to march to the Education Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
A Venezuelan opposition activist sits against a wall reading "Freedom!" during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Opposition demonstrators wearing helmets, protective gloves and gas masks take cover behind makeshift shields as they clash with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRAFEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles uses the bullhorn during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / FEDERICO PARRAFEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators clash with riot police, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
An opposition activist takes part in a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
An opposition activist throws back tear gas to the police, as clashes erupt during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Bolivarian National Guards block students attempting to march to the Education Ministry amid tear gas in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Demonstrators clash with riot police, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
A Venezuelan opposition activist wearing a homemade gas mask takes cover behind a makeshift shield as clashes erupt with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters using handmade shields face off with security forces blocking a student march from reaching the Education Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Students face off with security forces during an opposition march in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
An anti-government protester holds a homemade shield featuring a defaced image of President Nicolas Maduro during a student march blocked by security forces from reaching the Eduction Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Opposition activists use makeshift shields to cover themselves, as clashes with police erupt during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator holds a makeshift shield depicting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during clashes with riot police, within a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
A protester aims a sling shot during clashes with security forces blocking an opposition march attempting to reach the Education Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Opposition demonstrators kick and hurl back tear gas canisters at riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
An injured opposition activist is assisted after clashes with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. Venezuela's opposition mobilized Monday in fresh street protests against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to reform the constitution in a deadly political crisis. Supporters of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) gathered in eastern Caracas to march to the education ministry under the slogan "No to the dictatorship." / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters carry a man affected by tear gas launched by security forces against people attempting to march to the Education Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement against President Nicolas Maduro, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
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Students call for the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro during a march in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 8, 2017. The protest movement, that has drawn masses of people into the streets nearly every day since March, has left some three dozen dead. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
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By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
Venezuela is in the midst of a violent protest movement that has resulted in eight deaths this month as the country’s deeply unpopular socialist administration struggles to stay in power and a newly energized opposition calls for an immediate presidential election. The unrest was sparked by a Supreme Court decision to strip the opposition-controlled Congress of its last remaining powers, a move that was later reversed amid a storm of international criticism. That overreach has energized Venezuela’s fractious opposition, which had been struggling to channel growing disgust with Maduro over widespread food shortages, triple-digit inflation and rampant crime.
