Venezuelan leader lauds peaceful protests

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday praised peaceful pro and anti-government marches that many had feared would lead to violent protests demanding the overthrow of the government.

In an address to pro-government demonstrators gathered in the capital Caracas, Maduro said "we have defeated an attempted coup that aimed to fill Caracas ... with violence and death."

"Today, peace is victorious," said Maduro, who also greeted opponents of his socialist government.

"I send my sincere greeting to all those Venezuelans who think differently from us," said Maduro, who estimated the opposition drew some 25,000 people the streets.

Maduro also thanked his followers for showing their support.

"The people did not stay at home, they went into the streets and they always will," said Maduro.

Venezuela's capital had braced for massive and potentially explosive pro and anti-government rallies designed to flex political muscle.

Supporters of Venezuela's right-wing opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), began gathering early in the day for what the movement had called "The Taking of Caracas."

Opposition leaders said they would hold protests again on Sept. 7 outside the regional offices of the National Electoral Council (NEC) in their campaign to push for a recall referendum against Maduro.

Anti-government protests in early 2014 turned violent, leading to more than 40 deaths and millions in losses as protesters vandalized public buildings and property. Endit