On Wednesday April 19th, 2017 hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities to step up their continuing demonstrations against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The march, called the “mother of all marches” by organizers, was met by riot police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while some demonstrators threw stones and firebombs. At least two students and a member of the National Guard were killed in the clashes. The opposition called for renewed protests today, as some Caracas business owners returned to inspect damaged and looted stores.
Estonian soldiers participate in a military exercise in Sonda, northeastern Estonia, on April 19, 2017. The military exercise is for the preparation of the NATO training exercise Spring Storm taking place in May with the participation of British, Danish, French and U.S. Army soldiers. (Xinhua/Sergei Stepanov)
Philippine Marines debark from a Filipino landing craft during civil military activities from the sea at Motiong Beach, Casiguran, May 15, 2017. The Marines simulated a security group that would help the local government restore law and order to an impacted by disaster. By training for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, U.S. and Philippine forces are better prepared to provide relief from the sea to remote and austere areas of the Philippines. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough)
U.S. Marines Brig. Gen. John Jansen, left, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, speaks with Philippine Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano during civil military activities from the sea at Motiong Beach, Casiguran, May 15, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough)
Soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) gather for an assault against the Maute militant group in Lanao Del Sur Province, the Philippines, May 25, 2017. The Philippine armed forces continued conducting surgical operations on Thursday to flush out up to 40 remnants of the Maute militant group that remain in the besieged southern Philippine city of Marawi, a military spokesman has said. (Xinhua/STRINGER)
Government troops are seen during an assault on insurgents from the so-called Maute group, who have taken over large parts of Marawi City in southern Philippines. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco