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Venezuela protests: Three killed in fresh unrest | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three people have died in fresh protests in Venezuela, this time in the central city of Valencia. | |
A policeman and two other men were shot dead in separate incidents. | |
In Caracas, Venezuelan government supporters and opposition demonstrators took to the streets to hold rival marches. | |
The marches mark one month since the current protest movement began - on 12 February. Twenty-five people are now known to have died. | |
The opposition mayor of Valencia, Miguel Cocchiola, said that the city had seen several incidents of violence during the day. | |
A 42-year old man, Guillermo Sanchez, was painting his house when he was shot in the head by pro-government militias passing on motorbikes, said Mr Cocchiola. | |
Student Jesus Enrique Acosta, 20, was also killed in Valencia. Mr Cocchiola said Mr Acosta was also shot dead by the government groups, known as "colectivos". | |
The other victim was army captain Ernesto Bravo Bracho. The government said he was killed by "criminal terrorists". | |
Meanwhile, opposition demonstrators marched through the streets of eastern Caracas - an anti-government stronghold - denouncing police brutality and the economic crisis. | |
They called for the release of dozens of jailed activists. | |
At the end of the protests, activists threw stones and petrol bombs at the police, who responded with tear gas. Several people were injured. | |
There were demonstrations in several other Venezuelan cities. | |
Elsewhere in the capital, thousands of government supporters joined President Nicolas Maduro in a "march for peace". | |
Mr Maduro said this week that he had managed to defeat a plot to bring down his government. saying a right-wing plot had been neutralised. | |
"Before Chavez no-one had anything we have now: access to public health, education and food," government supporter Marcos Alcayo told Reuters at the march. | |
Hugo Chavez died of cancer a year ago after more than 14 years in office. | Hugo Chavez died of cancer a year ago after more than 14 years in office. |
A new presidential election was held last April. Mr Chavez's preferred successor, Mr Maduro, defeated opposition leader Henrique Capriles by a narrow margin. | A new presidential election was held last April. Mr Chavez's preferred successor, Mr Maduro, defeated opposition leader Henrique Capriles by a narrow margin. |
One of the protest leaders, opposition legislator Maria Corina Machado, told the BBC's James Menendez that Venezuela was increasingly united behind the idea of regime change. | One of the protest leaders, opposition legislator Maria Corina Machado, told the BBC's James Menendez that Venezuela was increasingly united behind the idea of regime change. |
"A change of government as soon as possible: that is what we are proposing, very clearly," said Ms Corina. | "A change of government as soon as possible: that is what we are proposing, very clearly," said Ms Corina. |
But she denied that replacing a democratically elected government amounted to a coup: "We want to go forward, but in the umbrella of our constitution and by pacific means." | But she denied that replacing a democratically elected government amounted to a coup: "We want to go forward, but in the umbrella of our constitution and by pacific means." |
Mr Maduro says right-wing sectors in the United States, Venezuela and other countries in Latin America are behind a coup plot. | Mr Maduro says right-wing sectors in the United States, Venezuela and other countries in Latin America are behind a coup plot. |
Last week Venezuela expelled the Panamanian ambassador and three other diplomats after accusing them of conspiring to bring down his government. | Last week Venezuela expelled the Panamanian ambassador and three other diplomats after accusing them of conspiring to bring down his government. |
The protests started in the western states of Merida and Tachira at the beginning of February, with demonstrators asking for more security in the region. | |
Dozens of demonstrators were arrested. | |
Three people were shot dead in Caracas in renewed marches on 12 February demanding that students and other detained activists be freed. | |
The government and the opposition have traded accusations over the killings. Daily protests and frequent pro-government demonstrations have been held ever since. |