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Venezuelan officials killed amid tense election for assembly Venezuela crisis: Deadly clashes amid tense election for assembly
(about 2 hours later)
A candidate in Sunday's assembly elections and an opposition activist have been killed in Venezuela. Venezuela's election of a controversial new assembly has been disrupted by violence, with protests across the country and several deaths reported.
The killings took place before voting started to elect a new assembly with powers to rewrite the constitution. Those killed include an opposition youth leader, a pro-government candidate and a soldier.
The government wants a new constituent assembly with powers to rewrite the constitution and override congress.
The opposition says it is a power grab by President Nicolás Maduro and is boycotting the vote.The opposition says it is a power grab by President Nicolás Maduro and is boycotting the vote.
The government says the constituent assembly is the only way to bring peace back to the country after months of violent protests. President Maduro says it is the only way to restore order after months of protests and political stalemate between the government and the opposition controlled National Assembly.
José Felix Pineda, a 39-year-old lawyer running in the election, was shot in his home on Saturday night local time, a senior Venezuelan minister said. As voting got under way on Sunday morning, anti-government protesters took to the streets despite a government ban and there were reports of clashes with police across the country.
Ricardo Campos, a youth secretary with the opposition Acción Democrática party, was shot dead during a protest, the head of the national assembly said. At least three people were reported to have been shot dead in the western state of Tachira - two teenagers and a soldier from the national guard.
A soldier in the national guard was also killed in protests in the western town of La Grita, officials and media reports said. Ricardo Campos, a youth secretary with the opposition Acción Democrática party, was shot dead during a protest in the north-eastern town of Cumana, prosecutors said.
Shortly before voting started, José Felix Pineda, a 39-year-old lawyer standing in the election, was also reportedly shot in his home in Bolivar state.
The El Nacional newspaper said 13 people had been killed across Venezuela in the past 24 hours.The El Nacional newspaper said 13 people had been killed across Venezuela in the past 24 hours.
Protests have continued in defiance of a ban on them taking place. An explosion near one demonstration in Caracas injured several police officers and set a number of their motorbikes on fire. In the capital Caracas, an explosion near one demonstration injured several police officers and set a number of their motorcycles on fire.
The security forces have used armoured vehicles to dispel protesters in the Caracas district of El Paraíso amid the sound of gunfire, AFP says, citing local reports. Security forces used armoured vehicles to dispel protesters in the Caracas district of El Paraíso amid the sound of gunfire, local reports said.
Voting was extended until 19:00 (23:00 GMT), electoral officials said, to allow all votes to be cast.
Analysis: An uncontested election
Will Grant, BBC News, Caracas
In the capital, voting was peaceful in many neighbourhoods but there were sporadic clashes between protesters and the security forces, especially in traditionally opposition-controlled areas.
With many thoroughfares closed by local citizens erecting barricades of wood, scrap metal and barbed wire, further confrontation seems inevitable.
President Maduro will no doubt claim a resounding victory. But with the opposition boycotting the vote and with the security forces controlling the cities in riot gear it was always going to be an uncontested election.
The challenge will be governing afterwards in this conflicted political environment.
The election has been heavily criticised by other Latin American countries as well as the European Union and the United States, which has imposed new sanctions on members of Mr Maduro's government.
On Sunday, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, dismissed the vote as a "sham election" and a "step towards dictatorship".
Why is the assembly election happening?Why is the assembly election happening?
"Even if they win today, this won't last long," opposition supporter Berta Hernandez, a 60-year-old doctor, told Reuters in Caracas. "I'll continue on the streets because, not long from now, this will come to an end.""Even if they win today, this won't last long," opposition supporter Berta Hernandez, a 60-year-old doctor, told Reuters in Caracas. "I'll continue on the streets because, not long from now, this will come to an end."
Mr Maduro cast his own ballot shortly after polling stations opened at 06:00 (10:00 GMT).Mr Maduro cast his own ballot shortly after polling stations opened at 06:00 (10:00 GMT).
In a televised speech, the president predicted a "big victory", calling the vote "the most important election held in Venezuela's political system". In a televised speech, he predicted a "big victory", calling the vote "the most important election held in Venezuela's political system".
However, electoral council chief Tibisay Lucena acknowledged that some voting machines had been attacked and burned in parts of the country.However, electoral council chief Tibisay Lucena acknowledged that some voting machines had been attacked and burned in parts of the country.
Analysis: No closer to peace
Will Grant, BBC News, Caracas
Here in the capital, voting has got under way peacefully in many neighbourhoods but the election is unfolding amid a tense atmosphere.
In traditional opposition-controlled areas, the streets are largely empty with many thoroughfares closed by local citizens erecting barricades of wood, glass, scrap metal and barbed wire.
For his part, Nicolás Maduro was among the first to vote, casting his ballot before sunrise. He and his supporters claim a vote for the new assembly is a step closer to peace.
But with the opposition boycotting the vote, with the security forces in riot gear and with sporadic clashes on the streets, it feels like anything but.
Four months of protests against Mr Maduro and his plans for the assembly have left more than 100 people dead.Four months of protests against Mr Maduro and his plans for the assembly have left more than 100 people dead.
The election has been heavily criticised by other Latin American countries as well as the European Union and the United States, which last week imposed new sanctions on members of Mr Maduro's government.
Venezuela, a major oil producer, is gripped by a political crisis, with soaring inflation and daily food shortages.Venezuela, a major oil producer, is gripped by a political crisis, with soaring inflation and daily food shortages.
Many residents in Caracas were stocking up on essential items on Saturday in case unrest left shops closed into Monday, correspondents said.Many residents in Caracas were stocking up on essential items on Saturday in case unrest left shops closed into Monday, correspondents said.