Venezuelan Government Sentences Opposition Leader To A Year In Prison

An anti-government demonsrator kneels in front of a formation of Bolivarian National Police in riot gear, during clashes at the Central University of Venezuela, UCV, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, March 20, 2014. Thursday dawned with two more opposition politicians, San Cristobal Mayor Daniel Ceballos and San Diego Mayor Enzo Scarano, behind bars. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a student-called protest of several thousand people in Caracas, some of those demonstrating against the arrests of the mayors. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) (AP2014)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Venezuela's top court has sentenced an opposition mayor to a year in jail for failing to crack down on anti-government protests that are entering their third month.

The Supreme Court issued the sentence of San Cristobal mayor Daniel Ceballos on Tuesday night. The court ruled he disobeyed an order to remove barricades set up by protesters. Ceballos has been openly critical of president Nicolas Maduro and supportive of the protesters' cause.

The mountain city near the Colombian border has been among the most restive in the country.

Authorities have targeted opposition leaders nationwide in recent weeks. The Supreme Court sent another opposition mayor to jail last week, and on Monday, parliament stripped opposition deputy Maria Corina Machado of her seat.

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