This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40667309

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Venezuela crisis: Violence fears as millions join strike Venezuela crisis: Deadly clashes as millions join strike
(about 5 hours later)
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. Millions of Venezuelans have joined a general strike called by the opposition as pressure mounts on President Nicolás Maduro to cancel elections for a new constituent assembly.
"The fear we have... is that this situation could turn into a bloodbath," Luis Almagro said before the strike. Clashes between police and protestors killed at least three people. More than 300 others were reportedly arrested.
Police and protestors clashed in parts of the capital, Caracas. Two people have been killed across the country. Mr Maduro said the strike was minimal and that its leaders would be arrested.
Since April, almost 100 people have died in opposition protests. Since April, when opposition protests intensified, almost 100 people have died across the country.
Clashes between security forces and protesters were reported, with at least 80 people detained, a rights group said. Protesters barricaded roads in the capital, Caracas, and other cities with rubbish and furniture. The opposition said that 85% of the country joined 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. But in pro-government areas of the capital, life went on as usual, with shops open and streets busy. Public employees also appeared to have worked normally.
Protesters barricaded roads in Caracas and other cities with rubbish and furniture. In several cities, police fired tear gas as they clashed with protesters. One death was reported on the outskirts of Caracas while two others died in the northern city of Valencia.
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. More than 360 people had been arrested across the country, a local rights group said.
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". Colombia, France, Spain, the US and the EU have urged the Venezuelan government to cancel the vote for a new constituent assembly on 30 July.
"Behind every detainee, every political prisoner, every person tortured and every person killed there is someone that is institutionally responsible," Mr Almagro wrote. But Mr Maduro has rejected the calls.
"This regime and its rampant corruption are responsible." In a speech on TV, he claimed "triumph", saying that key sectors had not joined the strike.
Mr Almagro has long been one of the fiercest and most outspoken critics of the Venezuelan government. "Work has triumphed, love, life, and hope; work has triumphed. They [the Venezuelan opposition] who have never worked, let them carry on not working, we are moving forward, comrades."
But in recent days he has been joined by a number of international leaders in putting pressure on President Maduro. "I've ordered the capture of all the fascist terrorists."
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.
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.
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.
Earlier, the head of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, warned of a "calamitous deterioration" of the situation, accusing Mr 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 in a report.
"The fear that is on everyone's mind, but we are too afraid to speak out loud, is our fear that this will escalate into a bloodbath."
Mr Almagro has long been one of the fiercest and most outspoken critics of the Venezuelan government.
Why is Venezuela in crisis?Why is Venezuela in crisis?
More on Venezuela's turmoilMore on Venezuela's turmoil