The opposition and government loyalists accuse each other of being responsible for the collapse of the power grid.
CARACAS, Venezuela — The Venezuelan opposition and government loyalists held rival demonstrations in Caracas on Saturday, as both sides prepared for what some fear could be a protracted power struggle. Meanwhile, more power and communications outages hit Venezuela, intensifying the hardship of a country paralyzed by economic and political crisis. The blackout heightened tension between the bitterly divided factions, which accused each other of being responsible for the collapse of the power grid.
“Hard times are ahead,” said opposition leader Juan Guaido, who addressed crowds with a loudspeaker after security forces dismantled a stage that the opposition had erected.
The 35-year-old leader of the National Assembly said he anticipated more government efforts to sideline and intimidate the opposition.
