Another two Venezuelan men died on Tuesday from gunshots at political demonstrations, bringing to 26 the number of fatalities around this month's protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government.
Another two Venezuelan men died on Tuesday from gunshots at political demonstrations, bringing to 26 the number of fatalities around this month's protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government.
The state prosecutor's office said Orlando Medina, 23, was gunned down on a street in western Lara state during a protest local media identified as anti-Maduro. Luis Marquez, 52, died in the Andean state of Merida in the early morning after being shot on Monday at a pro-Maduro rally, state ombudsman Tarek Saab said.
In more than three weeks of chaos since Venezuela's opposition launched street protests, 15 people have died in violence around demonstrations and 11 others in night-time lootings, the state prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.
Political activists and Venezuelan media have reported more deaths, but those have not been confirmed. The ruling Socialist Party accuses foes of seeking a violent coup with U.S. connivance, while the opposition says Maduro is a dictator repressing peaceful protest. With near-daily demonstrations by both opponents and supporters of Maduro, there have been fatalities on both sides, as well as one National Guard sergeant killed during a protest.
"Any death hurts, government or opposition," chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega said in a speech. Four fatalities were adolescents and 437 people had also been injured.
(With agency inputs)
1. Venezuela
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Demonstrators burn tires during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 24, 2017.
Thousands of people shut down the capital city's main highway to express their disgust with the socialist administration of President Nicolas Maduro.
Demonstrators in least a dozen other cities also staged sit-ins as the protest movement is entering its fourth week.
Image courtesy: Reuters
2. Demonstrations in Venezuela
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Demonstrators take part in a rally to honour the victims of violence during the protests and against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, April 22, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
3. Fire barricades
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Demonstrators build a fire barricade on a street during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
4. Anti-government protests
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Fire-fighters put out a truck set on fire during anti-government protests in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: PTI
5. Rally against President Nicolas Maduro
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A demonstrator uses a mask during rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
6. Caracas
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A Venezuelan opposition activist participates in a sit-in to block the Francisco Fajardo motorway in Caracas, on April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: AFP
7. Stone-pelting protesters
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Anti-government protesters throw stones from a highway overpass at a passing police patrol in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: PTI
8. Police officers
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Police officers charge an anti-government protesters in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: PTI
