Opposition politician and National Assembly member Juan Andres Mejia led thousands in a march through the streets of Caracas, Venezuela, on April 19 to protest against President Nicholas Maduro and the socialist party.

Opposition leaders planned marches across Venezuela on Wednesday to protest against President Nicholas Maduro and his administration, who opposition leaders say are engaging in a coup and evading new elections. Opposition leaders and activists said that the police and national guard have been engaging in violent and repressive protest-suppression tactics, leading to the deaths of several people. News reports and activists reported two deaths during the large-scale demonstrations in Caracas.

Maduro has maintained a hard line against the opposition, saying that they are “assailants” and calling for his supporters to take to the streets in counter-protest.

Economic trouble in Venezuela brought a severe shortage of food and medicine to local populations, sparking widespread protesting across the country.