Venezuela opposition gears up for new protest

Venezuelans will march again on Saturday against the country’s chronic food shortage, one of the major grievances in a wave of protests shadowing President Nicolas Maduro’s government. At least 20 people have now died in Venezuela since protests first erupted a month ago, giving Maduro his biggest test since succeeding late leader Hugo Chavez almost a year ago. The new rally was called by the country’s most prominent opposition leader, two-time presidential election runner-up Henrique Capriles, who lost to Maduro by a whisker in the April 2013 election. The rally, which coincides with International Women’s Day, will include a march by stay-at-home moms who will bang empty pots – a traditional form of protest across Latin America.