Political Turmoil Continues In Venezuela As Pope Francis Intervenes

A protester covered by the Venezuelan flag lies on the ground during a protest against violence outside the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Protesters gathered here to ask Pope Francis to intervene after the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head Tuesday at an anti-government protest in the city of San Cristobal.
A protester covered by the Venezuelan flag lies on the ground during a protest against violence outside the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Protesters gathered here to ask Pope Francis to intervene after the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head Tuesday at an anti-government protest in the city of San Cristobal. Ariana Cubillos / AP Photo
A protester covered by the Venezuelan flag lies on the ground during a protest against violence outside the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Protesters gathered here to ask Pope Francis to intervene after the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head Tuesday at an anti-government protest in the city of San Cristobal.
A protester covered by the Venezuelan flag lies on the ground during a protest against violence outside the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Protesters gathered here to ask Pope Francis to intervene after the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head Tuesday at an anti-government protest in the city of San Cristobal. Ariana Cubillos / AP Photo

Political Turmoil Continues In Venezuela As Pope Francis Intervenes

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Tensions are high in Venezuela between President Nicolas Maduro and his political opposition. Just hours after reaching a delicate truce, each side accused the other of breaking the peace.

As high inflation and lack of basic necessities continue to cause civil unrest, the Vatican has begun to serve as a mediator in the country’s economic and political woes.

We talk about the turmoil  with David Smilde, senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and curator its Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights blog.