Clash fears mount

 CARACAS (AP):

Fears of more clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters ratcheted up in Venezuela as both sides held demonstrations in the capital yesterday and opposition leader Leonardo Lopez dared authorities to arrest him.

The competing demonstrations came one day after President Nicolas Maduro's government gave three United States Embassy officials 48 hours to leave the country, claiming they were supporting what he says are opposition plots to topple his socialist administration. The US denied that.

Supporters of Lopez, who is Maduro's most vociferous foe and the target of an arrest order, rerouted their protest march away from the central plaza in Caracas where pro-government oil workers planned their own demonstration.

Still, 5,000 protesters were initially blocked yesterday by a police picket from entering the plaza where they were scheduled to gather. Nearby subway stations were also closed, leading organisers to appeal to neighbours to open their Wi-Fi networks so protesters can communicate.