Venezuela frees protesters, braces for more demos

Venezuela released dozens of anti-government protesters and an Italian photographer today, but that did nothing to appease demonstrators set for more rallies against President Nicolas Maduro.
At least 18 people have been killed and 250 injured since a wave of nationwide protests began February 4 led by students angry about a soaring crime rate, spiralling inflation, the lack of basic goods in stores, and limited democratic rights in the oil-rich nation.
Students and the opposition have accused the leftist Maduro government of heavy handedness in dealing with protests that have roiled the capital Caracas on nearly a daily basis and also spread to other major cities.

Maduro, facing the biggest test of his presidency since narrowly winning last year's election to succeed socialist icon Hugo Chavez, has also been accused of targeting the domestic and foreign media, while hundreds of people -- including opposition leaders -- have been detained.
Among them was Italian photographer Francesca Commissari and about 40 protesters arrested on Friday in Caracas. Commissari declared her freedom on Twitter Sunday, thanking friends, the Italian consulate and her lawyer for getting her out.
Venezuela's journalist association SNTP confirmed the release of Commissari, who lives in Venezuela and works for the local El Nacional newspaper, and about 40 protesters.

A total of 863 people have been arrested since February 9, the NGO Foro Penal said, with 30 still behind bars.
There was rare calm on the Caracas streets Saturday, and the first time in nearly three weeks that security forces did not fire tear gas to disperse protesters.
"This is the first time that this has happened in the last 18 days," said Ramon Muchacho, mayor of the wealthy Caracas neighbourhood of Chacao, an opposition stronghold and focus for many of the demonstrations in the capital.