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Two dead in Venezuela anti-government student protests Venezuela student protest ends in deadly violence
(about 3 hours later)
At least two people have been shot dead during a student demonstration in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. At least three people were shot dead as violence erupted during anti-government protests in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Wednesday.
A pro-government activist and at least one student were killed in a shootout, officials said. The violence broke out after some 10,000 demonstrators had gone home following a mainly peaceful rally.
At least 23 people are said to have been injured in demonstrations across the country. Two people died after gunmen on motorbikes opened fire on the remaining crowd. A third died in later clashes.
President Nicolas Maduro is facing rising criticism for the country's economic woes and high levels of violence. The march was the latest in a series of mass protests against the policies of President Nicolas Maduro.
He later spoke on national TV, condemning the violence and appealing for calm. Chaotic scenes
"Let nobody go mad and accept provocations," Mr Maduro said. A crowd of demonstrators, many of them students, marched to the federal prosecutor's office to demand the release of 13 protesters who they say were illegally detained in previous marches.
The students were demonstrating against the detention of fellow students earlier in the week on the day Venezuela celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Victory, also known as the Venezuelan Day of Youth, an historical episode in which students defended a city against Spanish-led troops. A small group of protesters stayed behind after the end of the main march and clashed with the security forces.
'Fascism' It was at that time that a number of armed men on motorcycles shot at the crowd, triggering a stampede.
Opposition leaders also took part in the march. Anti-government protester Bassil da Costa, 24, was hit by a bullet and killed.
But as in other protests called by the opposition, many also took to the streets to support the government. Also shot in the ensuing chaos was government activist Juan Montoya, who is believed to have been taking part in a rival, pro-government rally.
The president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, accused right-wing activists of carrying out the acts of violence. It is not clear whether the two victims were hit by the men on motorcycles or by other assailants.
"Fascism has murdered a comrade," Mr Cabello said on national TV. The president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, blamed the killing of Mr Montoya on "fascists", without further clarifying who they might be.
But a leading opposition congresswoman, Maria Corina Machado, said violence had erupted as students were corralled by pro-government activists. A third man was shot dead during anti-government protests in the east of the capital.
The leader of the opposition, Henrique Capriles, also appealed for calm. 'No coup d'etat'
"Violence will never be the way! We are confident that a large majority refuses and condemns it," Mr Capriles wrote on Twitter. President Nicolas Maduro condemned the incidents, which he blamed on a "neo-fascist upsurge".
Students have been protesting elsewhere for a week, with the biggest crowds in the city of Merida and the state of Tachira. The president called for peace, but stressed there would be no impunity for those who engaged in violence,
They were complaining about a lack of security in their university campuses, as well as protesting about the country's economic crisis. "There will be no coup d'etat in Venezuela, you can be absolutely sure of that, let the whole world know that," he said in a TV and radio broadcast.
Government forces detained a number of students, which gave rise to more protests demanding their freedom. Opposition politicians meanwhile called for new protests.
Venezuela has recently announced measures to address its foreign currency crisis and boost the economy. "Just as we condemn the violent incidents, we say to all Venezuelan families that we have to remain ready to continue fighting, calmly but with determination," Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma said.
It has also imposed a 30% cap on profit to businesses, as part of what President Maduro calls his "economic offensive". "You have to know, Mr Maduro, that whatever you do, what started today will not stop until change is achieved in peace and with democracy for all Venezuelans," he added.
In November, Mr Maduro was granted special powers to govern by decree for a year to deal with the economic crisis. Growing discontent
Despite its oil wealth, Venezuela has faced a shortage of staple goods such as sugar, cooking oil and toilet paper. The march on Wednesday was the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations in which protesters have demanded the resignation of President Maduro.
Among the measures decreed by Mr Maduro are official controls on the price of new and second-hand cars. Students in the western states of Tachira and Merida have been at the forefront of the protests, saying they are fed up with the lack of security and the poor state of Venezuela's economy.
Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is deeply politically polarised, with the opposition blaming the government for the country's economic troubles.
The country has the highest inflation rate in the region at 56.2% in 2013, according to official figures.
It is also beset by shortages, with shoppers often having to search a number of supermarkets for staples such as milk and toilet paper.
The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen".
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