CARACAS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Both supporters and opponents of the Venezuelan government took to the streets on Saturday amid an ongoing political and economic crisis aggravated by successive blackouts.
Backers of the ruling socialist party took part in what was billed as the "People's Operation in Defense of Liberty," which saw demonstrations in the capital Caracas and other major cities protest U.S.-backed attacks against the government and existing infrastructure.
This month, according to officials, sabotage at the country's central hydroelectric plant caused two crippling blackouts that brought productivity to a standstill, undermining an already fragile economy battered by U.S.-led financial sanctions.
In Caracas, supporters of the government rallied at four different locations, including San Bernardino, in a show of solidarity with workers of the state-run National Electricity Corporation (Corpoelec).
Supporters condemned the "electricity sabotage" that led to schools and offices being closed for up to five days at a time, and to businesses and plants being idled.
"Today the Venezuelan people are mobilizing nationwide ... to say 'NO' to imperialist terrorism and to defend the peace in our beloved Venezuela," President Nicolas Maduro said via Twitter.
Marchers also gathered at the headquarters of the Public Ministry to demand prompt investigations into the attacks on the electricity network.
Dario Vivas, vice president of events and mobilizations for Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV), and other party leaders, officially submitted the petition to the ministry.
Meanwhile, anti-government demonstrators gathered in Los Teques, capital of north-central Miranda state, an opposition stronghold, and in the Caracas districts of La Candelaria and Caricuao.
Addressing a rally, opposition leader and self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaido borrowed from the PSUV's parlance and called on Venezuelans to "organize Help and Liberty Committees in each community to create each space for protest."
Also on Saturday, a top official announced the government has agreed to the International Red Cross distributing humanitarian aid in Venezuela.
Diosdado Cabello, president of the National Constituent Assembly, said during a rally in Caracas that the government agreed to work with the Red Cross "because we want peace in this country."
In February, the far-right sparked a border standoff by demanding the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid that the government had blocked, arguing it was a ploy to prop up the opposition rather than an effort to help needy Venezuelans.
The Red Cross and the United Nations both refused to take part in the Feb. 23 relief effort, saying it was "politicized."
On Friday, the Red Cross said it will be ready to deliver aid in two weeks. The organization added it will work alone and not accept the "interference" of others.
