Venezuela's Angry Opposition: What's their Game?

The political opposition pushing for the removal of Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro has vowed fresh protests this week in the volatile South American state.

Here is a guide to who his leading opponents are, what they want and how they are trying to get it.

- WHO ARE THEY?

The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable is a broad coalition of political groups, dominated by center-right forces such as the Democratic Action party of congressional speaker Henry Ramos Allup, 72. The MUD's most prominent figure is former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, 43. The MUD's secretary general is journalist Jesus Torrealba, 58.

- WHAT DO THEY WANT?

The opposition blames Maduro for Venezuela's grave economic crisis. It wants to hold a referendum to remove him from office and then hold elections to form a new government to fix the damage. They want an end to the socialist "revolution" launched by Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez.

- HOW CAN THEY GET IT?

Maduro has blocked legislative reforms aimed at cutting short his term, so the opposition has opted for a referendum. It wants to hold one before the end of this year.

If Venezuelans voted to remove Maduro in a referendum after January 10, 2017, under constitutional rules he could hand power to his vice-president until the end of his term in 2019 instead of new elections being held.

The government has warned there will not be time to hold a referendum this year. The opposition has called for street protests to demand the National Electoral Board (CNE) quickly process its petitions for a referendum.

- WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

For the opposition, street protests raise the risk of a crackdown by security forces. Riot police fired tear gas at protesters who tried to march on the CNE last week. Anti-government protests in 2014 led to riots that left 43 people dead.

For Maduro, the loyalty of the security forces is key. The military top brass have declared allegiance to him. Capriles told the BBC he thought poorer, lower-ranking soldiers may feel differently.

Political scientist Hector Briceno said Venezuelans were wary of mass protests after past violence in the country. Last week's march to the CNE only drew about 1,000 people.

"The only options the opposition has to press for a referendum are peaceful demonstrations, along with international pressure," Briceno said.

A trio of foreign ex-leaders has offered to mediate talks between the two sides, but otherwise the international reaction has so far been timid.