"I came to demand that the recall election take place according to the constitution," said Rivas, 35. "Whatever your point of view, the condition of the country is the worst."

Rivas took his place in the ranks that filled Francisco de Miranda Avenue, one of three main streets in the capital brimming with thousands and thousands of protesters, mostly dressed in white. Surrounding him were people carrying posters reading "No more socialism," "Maduro Out," and "Venezuela wants a recall."

Marchers such as Rivas said life in Venezuela has become a daily ordeal of standing in endless lines for food, for government services, for medical care.

The demonstration, aimed at speeding up a recall campaign against the 53-year-old president, was also a forceful repudiation of the leftist politics that are falling out of favor across Latin America.