Hot News: Murder charges against Venezuela opposition leader dropped

(CNN) -- Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez remained in a military prison Thursday as the government pressed terrorism and murder charges again him, his wife said.

In a post to her husband's Twitter account, Lilian Tintori de Lopez called on supporters to keep the pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro, following a court hearing that adjourned early Thursday.

'Don't give up,' she said. 'I won't.'

Lopez faces charges of terrorism and murder in the deaths of four anti-government protesters and a government supporter in clashes around the country. Maduro is facing the largest anti-government protests in his 11 months in power.

The hearing was intended to determine whether Lopez will be released or remain behind bars, his family told CNN en Español Wednesday night. Protest leader releases vid to supporters CNN cams taken at gunpoint in Venezuela Protestors light fires during an anti-government demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, February 19. For weeks, Venezuelans unhappy with the economy and rising crime have clashed with security forces.Photos: Protests erupt in Venezuela

It was uncertain when the hearing would continue. Human rights concerns

Human rights groups warned about the danger of turning the protests into a persecution of political opponents.

The charges against Lopez, who has organized protests demanding better security, an end to shortages and protected freedom of speech, 'smack of a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent in the country,' Amnesty International said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch weighed in, too, warning that Venezuela must avoid 'scapegoating' political opponents. The unrest

Major social and economic problems in Venezuela have fueled the protests. But as the demonstrations gained steam, officials have pointed fingers at other factors, accusing the United States of plotting to destabilize the government.

U.S. President Barack Obama fired back during a news conference in Mexico on Wednesday.

'Venezuela, rather than trying to distract from its own failings by making up false accusations against diplomats from the United States, the government ought to focus on addressing the legitimate grievances of the Venezuelan people,' he told reporters.

'So, along with the Organization of American States, we call on the Venezuelan government to release protesters that it's detained, and engage in real dialogue. All parties have an obligation to work together to restrain violence and restore calm.'

On Monday, Venezuela gave three U.S. diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, accusing them of conspiring to bring down the government. At a rally Tuesday, Maduro shouted, 'Yankee, go home' from the stage, drawing cheers from the crowd.

In television broadcast Wednesday, Maduro accused Colombian paramilitary forces and the United States of fueling the violence, and vowed to stand firm against any attempts to overthrow his government.

'And what is the Venezuelan opposition going to do?' he said. 'Believe that with the support of (U.S. Secretary of State) John Kerry or Obama, you are going to be able to take political power by violent means?'

This isn't the first time that bitter protests and counterprotests by supporters and opponents of the government have threatened political stability in Venezuela over the past decade.

Many of Maduro's claims -- of U.S. intervention, of assassination plots -- were also lobbed by the late President Hugo Chavez. Chavez was briefly ousted in a coup in 2002, but otherwise outlasted the protests and repeatedly won reelection. He ruled for 14 years, until his death last year after a long battle with cancer. READ: Venezuela: 9 things to know about the protests READ: Cheered by supporters, Venezuelan opposition leader Lopez surrendersREAD: 17-year-old dies during Venezuelan protests

CNN's Marilia Brocchetto contributed to this report

Post By http://ift.tt/1jfKIA4