Venezuela government calls two new counter protests

AFP  |  Caracas 

has announced two marches to counter the has planned.

Saturday's event will also mark Venezuela's official exit from the Organisation of American States, two years after Maduro made the decision to leave the bloc, accusing it of being part of a US campaign to "intervene" in

"We want to summon our members to two great demonstrations," said Hector Rodriguez, a of Maduro's United in (PSUV).

"We summon the whole chavista population to mobilize and celebrate the definitive exit from this area of US domination and subordination," he added, referring to supporters of the late and Maduro's predecessor

The government's announcement comes three days after Guaido revealed his plans for events on those two dates, including what he said would be "the biggest demonstration in this country's history" on May 1 to demand the end of Maduro's "usurpation".

Guaido, 35, and the have branded Maduro a "usurper" over his controversial re-election last year in polls widely viewed as rigged.

The launched a challenge to Maduro's authority in January, declaring himself acting president, quickly receiving the backing of more than 50 including the

The government's announcement is in line with its recent policy of calling a counter demonstration every time Guaido plans a protest of his own.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, April 23 2019. 04:35 IST