Venezuelans Mount Pressure on Government as Protests Intensify

A police water cannon disperses demonstrators during an opposition rally in Caracas, Venezuela April 6, 2017.

Venezuela's political crisis intensified over the last two weeks when the Supreme Court issued rulings curbing the powers of the opposition-controlled legislature. The court reversed the rulings days later, but the opposition protests grew from that moment.

Demonstrators clash with the police during an opposition rally in Caracas on April 6.

Venezuelan police clash with opposition activists during a protest against the government on April 6 in Caracas.

Demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government try to climb onto a water cannon vehicle during clashes with riot police in Caracas on April 8.

People aid a woman overwhelmed by tear gas fired by the Bolivarian National Police in Caracas on April 8.

Thousands of demonstrators march in Caracas on April 8.

The opposition is accusing pro-Maduro Supreme Court judges of attempting an internal "coup d'etat" for attempting to take over the opposition-majority legislature's powers last week. The socialist president's supporters held counter-demonstrations, condemning Maduro's opponents as "imperialists" plotting with the United States to oust him.

Demonstrators grab a riot police officer at a rally in Caracas on April 10.

Venezuelan opposition activists are engulfed by a cloud of tear gas shot by riot police in Caracas on April 10.

Demonstrators help a journalist who injured his leg while covering clashes between opposition demonstrators and the Bolivarian National Guard during a protest in Caracas on April 10.

Demonstrators clash with the National Guard in Caracas on April 10.

Riot police shoot at demonstrators at a rally in Caracas on April 10.

Demonstrators run away while clashing with riot police during a rally against in Caracas on April 10.

Demonstrators defend themselves against the National Guard in Caracas on April 10.

A demonstrator wearing a homemade teddy bear gas mask to protect himself from tear gas participates in an anti-government protest in Caracas on April 13.

A 32-year-old man died after being shot and wounded in a demonstration on April 11, becoming the fifth victim in the protests that began weeks ago. Dozens of people have been injured and more than 100 arrested since April 6, according to authorities.

Venezuelan opposition activists clash with riot police during a protest in Caracas on April 13.

Demonstrators rally through the inclement weather in Caracas on April 13.

A woman holds a sign stating "libertad", the Spanish word for freedom, during a protest in Caracas on April 13.

Venezuelan National Guard personnel in riot gear crack down on a march of opposition activists in Caracas on April 13.

A man stands alone through the tear gas during opposition protests in Caracas on April 13.

Demonstrators rally while carrying a sign that reads "no more dictatorship" in Caracas on April 13.

A protester sets a barricade on fire during a protest in Barquisimeto on April 12.

While demonstrations are often held in middle-class neighborhoods, this most recent wave of unrest for the first time has sparked protests in the slums that have historically been bastions of support for the socialist revolution launched nearly two decades ago by late President Hugo Chavez.

More protests are planned for the coming days, leading up to an April 19 demonstration the opposition is billing as the mother of all marches.