Venezuela: Maduro supporters took part in ‘March of Seniors’

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have taken to the streets of the capital Caracas amid continuing political tension in the South American country. On Sunday, hundreds of people took part in a rally called the "March of Seniors" in downtown Caracas to show their support for the government. The rally came a day after 25 people were injured during the largest anti-government demonstrations in the capital. Meanwhile, Maduro has welcomed a meeting with opposition leader Henrique Capriles in attempt to ease the tension in the country. The two will meet on Monday during a routine gathering of governors and mayors in the Presidential Palace. Venezuela has been the scene of pro, anti-government protests for nearly two weeks now, and at least eight people have died in the related violence. President Maduro has accused the US-backed opposition of seeking to topple his government by igniting violent clashes that erupted during protests since February 12. The Venezuelan government has already expelled three US Embassy staff members for attempting to infiltrate universities and provoke unrest across the country. Maduro has also dismissed US President Barack Obama’s calls for releasing prisoners as an act of interference in his country’s internal affairs and an attempt to mislead the world’s public opinion. The Venezuelan president described his government’s efforts to restore calm in the country as a struggle against violent criminals who are trying to overthrow the Bolivarian government with the support of Washington.