Unrest in Venezuela sparks protest in Calgary

More than 100 people gathered in downtown Calgary for an event called “No more dictatorship in Venezuela” Saturday.

They started at Bankers Hall and marched to City Hall.

Two weeks ago, demonstrations began in Venezuela after a Supreme Court ruling gutted the powers of the country’s Congress. The decision was later reversed.

“We are very thankful to the Canadian government, to Parliament and to Canadians as well, but right now we need to step forward. We need strong measures … We need to have people from the Venezuela government be banned from entering into Canada, to revoke their visas,” organizer Josue Ramirez said.

READ MORE: Venezuelan opposition leader Capriles says party headquarters tear-gassed

Unrest and anti-government protests in Venezuela have been sparked by President Nicolas Maduro and his government’s recent decision to bar local governor Henrique Capriles from running for office for 15 years. It has also lead to protests around the world.

Protests began less than a year after Maduro succeeded the late Hugo Chavez.

READ MORE: Venezuela: 30 deaths reportedly linked to anti-government protest

Demonstrators believe the government is sliding toward authoritarianism.

Calgary police said the protest was peaceful and there were no incidents to report.