<span style="color: #222222;">In Venezuela, opposition supporters thronged the streets of Caracas and other cities today in protest against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, as massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies further exacerbated a growing political crisis.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Opposition leader Juan Guaido,who is supported in his claim to be the legitimate interim leader by around 50 nations yesterday called for a huge turnout in Caracas.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage for the massive blackouts that have deprived millions of power, called for a counter pro-government march "in defense of peace" that drew hundreds to the streets of Caracas.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, the United States kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down.Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said in a speech in Houston that "the United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy. </span><br />''