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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Venezuela crisis: Violence fears as strike action begins | Venezuela crisis: Violence fears as strike action begins |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) has warned of a "calamitous deterioration" of the situation in Venezuela. | The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) has warned of a "calamitous deterioration" of the situation in Venezuela. |
| "The fear we have, and which we are afraid to say out loud, is that this situation could turn into a bloodbath," he said. | "The fear we have, and which we are afraid to say out loud, is that this situation could turn into a bloodbath," he said. |
| The warning came shortly before a 24-hour strike began on Thursday. | The warning came shortly before a 24-hour strike began on Thursday. |
| Previous opposition protests have ended in clashes and almost 100 people have been killed since the start of April. | Previous opposition protests have ended in clashes and almost 100 people have been killed since the start of April. |
| Protesters barricaded roads in the capital, Caracas, and other cities. | Protesters barricaded roads in the capital, Caracas, and other cities. |
| Opposition websites showed photos of deserted streets in Caracas while government supporters tweeted pictures of themselves at work to show they were not joining in the strike. | Opposition websites showed photos of deserted streets in Caracas while government supporters tweeted pictures of themselves at work to show they were not joining in the strike. |
| In his third report on the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, Mr Almagro accused President Nicolás Maduro's government of having "blood on its hands". | In his third report on the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, Mr Almagro accused President Nicolás Maduro's government of having "blood on its hands". |
| "Behind every detainee, every political prisoner, every person tortured and every person killed there is someone that is institutionally responsible," Mr Almagro wrote. | "Behind every detainee, every political prisoner, every person tortured and every person killed there is someone that is institutionally responsible," Mr Almagro wrote. |
| "This regime and its rampant corruption are responsible." | "This regime and its rampant corruption are responsible." |
| Mr Almagro has long been one of the fiercest and most outspoken critics of the Venezuelan government. | Mr Almagro has long been one of the fiercest and most outspoken critics of the Venezuelan government. |
| But in recent days he has been joined by a number of international leaders in putting pressure on President Maduro. | But in recent days he has been joined by a number of international leaders in putting pressure on President Maduro. |
| Colombia, France, Spain, the US and the EU have urged the Venezuelan government to cancel elections for a constituent assembly on 30 July. | Colombia, France, Spain, the US and the EU have urged the Venezuelan government to cancel elections for a constituent assembly on 30 July. |
| On Tuesday, the New York Times and Spain's El País newspaper published an opinion piece by renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel saying that the assembly was "not the answer". | On Tuesday, the New York Times and Spain's El País newspaper published an opinion piece by renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel saying that the assembly was "not the answer". |
| The assembly would have the power to rewrite the constitution and to bypass the opposition-controlled legislature. | The assembly would have the power to rewrite the constitution and to bypass the opposition-controlled legislature. |
| Opposition politicians say Mr Maduro wants to use the assembly to entrench himself in power, while the president argues a new constitution will promote dialogue in the polarised country. | Opposition politicians say Mr Maduro wants to use the assembly to entrench himself in power, while the president argues a new constitution will promote dialogue in the polarised country. |
| The opposition have ramped up their schedule of protests in the days leading up to the elections, including Thursday's general 24-hour strike and a mass demonstration on Saturday. | |
| Why is Venezuela in crisis? | Why is Venezuela in crisis? |
| More on Venezuela's turmoil | More on Venezuela's turmoil |