Venezuelan opposition head takes campaign on the road

VALENCIA, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido embarked on a new stage of his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday as the rivals held competing rallies in the capital of Caracas, a pattern that has unfolded repeatedly as both sides attempt to convey strength.

Addressing large crowds in the northern city of Valencia, Guaido pledged to deliver a better life for struggling Venezuelans as he began a planned tour of the country gripped by an economic and political crisis.

“We’re stronger than ever,” said U.S.-backed Guaido from a podium draped with a large Venezuelan flag.

Since returning to Venezuela from a Latin American tour March 4, Guaido has led anti-government activities in the capital of Caracas and announced plans to take his message to other regions. But he has been unable to force Maduro to step down and hold elections.

On Saturday, the government organized its own flag-waving demonstration in Caracas, attracting large numbers of people. Many were clad in red, the color associated with the movement led by the late President Hugo Chavez, the former military officer who declared a socialist “revolution” after coming to power in 1999. He was succeeded after his 2013 death by his protégé, Maduro.

Diosdado Cabello, a leading pro-government politician, evoked the defiant rhetoric of Chavez, denouncing the U.S. and declaring: “We won’t surrender.”

In Washington, demonstrators rallied in front of the White House to protest what they call U.S. interference.

“Hands off Venezuela!” they chanted.

Guaido declared himself interim president in January, saying Maduro’s reelection last year was illegitimate because major opposition figures were not allowed to run.