Clashes as tens of thousands protest over Venezuela crisis

At least three people were killed in Venezuela after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding President Nicolas Maduro end the economic crisis

A teenager in the capital Caracas and a woman in San Cristobal, near the Colombian border, were shot dead and a national guardsman was killed south of the capital.

17-year-old Carlos Romero was fatally shot walking home from a football game when he bumped into pro-government militias stalking a small pocket of protestors. The gang surrounded the protestors and threw tear gas canisters, a witness reported in an interview.

Melvin Sojo, who grew up in the Romero home, said police and two people who rushed his brother to the hospital told him the boy had been shot in the head by pro-government groups.

Tear gas and rubber bullets are fired by riot police officers AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

He is the sixth person killed since anti-Maduro protests began three weeks ago over the Supreme Court’s decision to strip the opposition-controlled congress of its last remaining powers after a year-long power battle.

Energy minister Luis Motto Dominguez told lines of state workers that the reports of the boy’s death being linked to pro-government groups were false, saying he had been killed during a botched assault.

He also told them they needed to use all their political weaponry to combat the lies of Mr Maduro’s “fascist” opponents.

Protesters clash with police during a mass protest against President Nicolas Maduro  
AFP/Getty Images

Tens of thousands of angry protesters took to the streets in 26 different points in attempt to march to the Ombudsman’s office.

But their efforts were blocked by light-armoured vehicles; tear gas and rubber bullets fired by riot police officers.

Despite having some of the world’s largest oil reserves, the country’s economy is in turmoil with growing disgust with Mr Maduro over widespread shortages of basic goods and inflation set to reach 700 per cent this year.

A petition for a referendum seeking Mr Maduro's removal before elections late next year was quashed by the Government sparking protests 
EPA/Miguel Gutierrez

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called for mass protests today (Thu) to force new presidential elections and the release of jailed opposition politicians.

Opposition marchers included Liliana Machuca, whose face was covered in a white, sticky substance to protect herself from the dangerous effects of tear gas.

She said: “This is like a chess game and each side is moving whatever pieces they can. We’ll see who tires out first.”

Mr Maduro accused demonstrators of attacking police and looting shops and claimed more than 30 arrests were made to restore order.

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