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Venezuela crisis: Violence fears as strike action begins Venezuela crisis: Violence fears as millions join strike
(about 9 hours 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 as millions of people joined a nationwide strike.
"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... is that this situation could turn into a bloodbath," Luis Almagro said before the strike.
The warning came shortly before a 24-hour strike began on Thursday. Police and protestors clashed in parts of the capital, Caracas. Two people have been killed across the country.
Previous opposition protests have ended in clashes and almost 100 people have been killed since the start of April. Since April, almost 100 people have died in opposition protests.
Protesters barricaded roads in the capital, Caracas, and other cities. Clashes between security forces and protesters were reported, with at least 80 people detained, a rights group said.
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. One 24-year-old man was killed on the outskirts of Caracas, while a 23-year-old man died in the northern city of Valencia, AFP news agency reports.
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". Protesters barricaded roads in Caracas and other cities with rubbish and furniture.
Opposition websites showed photos of deserted streets in the capital 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".
"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.
In a speech, the president said the disruption was minimal and that some of the leaders of the strike would be jailed.
"I've ordered the capture of all the fascist terrorists," he said.
Meanwhile, Isaias Medina, a senior diplomat representing the country at the UN, resigned, saying he could no longer represent the government because of human rights abuses.
Venezuela's ambassador to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, said Mr Medina had acted "dishonestly" and been fired.
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.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 turmoilMore on Venezuela's turmoil