A demonstrator is blocked by Bolivarian National police during an anti-government march to the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Opposition protesters were blocked from reaching the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Police in riot gear clashed with thousands of protesters trying to reach the headquarters of Venezuela's electoral body Wednesday to demand a referendum to recall unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.
The anti-government protest was the third in a week, and came days after the socialist president declared a state of emergency in the economically struggling country. He gave himself decree powers for 60 days.
Thousands of people turned out for the march in downtown Caracas, but police blocked the route. A small group tried to break through and was turned back by tear gas.
On Tuesday, opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on the country to reject the extra powers granted Maduro.
"If Maduro wants to apply this decree, he needs to start preparing tanks and warplanes, because he'll have to apply it by force," Capriles said.
Venezuela has seen constant small-scale protests in recent weeks against widespread water and electricity cuts.
The opposition roiled the country with bloody nationwide protests in 2014, but protests have tended to be small and peaceful since then.
A majority of the country wants Maduro out, according to opinion polls. Venezuelans overwhelmingly voted for the opposition in congressional elections in December, but state institutions have blocked the opposition-controlled congress from passing any legislation.
With congress unable to push through legislation, opposition leaders have begun turning their attention to the streets and the recall referendum as their best option to exert political pressure.
Opponents of the Maduro administration abroad have been asking the Organization of American States to pressure Venezuela to allow the opposition more space in the political arena. Maduro responded by calling OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro a tool of the CIA.
On Wednesday, Almagro called that claim absurd and said he would not be threatened. "I am not a CIA agent. And your lie, even if it is repeated a thousand times, will never be true," he wrote in an open letter to Maduro.
Demonstrators are tear gassed by Bolivarian National police during an anti-government march toward the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition was blocked from reaching the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
An anti-government protester is detained by Bolivarian National Police during a march in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Police clashed with protesters trying to reach the headquarters of the countryâs electoral body to demand a referendum to recall Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator holds a sign that reads in Spanish: "In Venezuela there's nothing," in reference to food shortages, during a march to the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Opposition marchers were blocked from reaching the CNE to demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
Anti-government demonstrators fight with Bolivarian National police on a pedestrian bridge during an anti-government march toward the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition was blocked from marching to the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator holds a sign that reads in Spanish: "Venezuela I want you free" during a march toward the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Police blocked protesters trying to reach the CNE to demand a referendum to recall Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator argues with a Bolivarian National Police officer during a march toward the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition was blocked from marching to the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
Bolivarian National police fire rubber bullets at anti-government demonstrators trying to march to the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition was blocked from marching to the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator is pushed away by Bolivarian National Police who block protesters from reaching the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition was blocked from marching to the CNE as they demand the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator in costume lies on the ground, affected by tear gas fired by Bolivarian National Police who kept protesters from reaching the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition is demanding the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The Associated Press
An anti-government demonstrator wipes his face after Bolivarian National Police fired tear gas to block protesters from reaching the headquarters of the national electoral body, CNE, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The opposition is demanding the government allow it to pursue a recall referendum against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press