Mayhem continues on streets of Venezuela as thousands of protesters clash with police who hit back with tear gas in capital Caracas

  • Thousands are continuing to protest in Venezuela against the Socialist government of Nicolas Maduro
  • Demonstrators were stopped by state security forces launching tear gas in the capital of Caracas
  • The wave of protests since early April against Maduro have sparked Venezuela's worst violence since 2014

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Violence has erupted again on the streets of Venezuela as thousands continue to protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro.

Protesters were marching on Wednesday to deliver a message to the nation's ombudsman, whose job is to stand up for citizens' rights but who the opposition have described as being the 'defenders of the dictator.' 

Demonstrators were stopped by state security forces launching tear gas as they marched on the main highway in the capital of Caracas. 

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A man draped in the Venezuelan flag faces off with police as demonstrators and police clash in opposition protests in Caracas

A man draped in the Venezuelan flag faces off with police as demonstrators and police clash in opposition protests in Caracas

An opposition supporter throws a molotov cocktail during clashes with security forces at a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro

An opposition supporter throws a molotov cocktail during clashes with security forces at a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro

Opposition supporters run from tear gas as they clash with security forces during another rally against the leftist president

Opposition supporters run from tear gas as they clash with security forces during another rally against the leftist president

The latest protests began after the Supreme Court took over powers from the opposition-controlled National Assembly

The latest protests began after the Supreme Court took over powers from the opposition-controlled National Assembly

Opposition demonstrators are trying for the seventh time this month to march on the office of the ombudsman in central Caracas

Opposition demonstrators are trying for the seventh time this month to march on the office of the ombudsman in central Caracas

Twenty-seven people have been killed since the current wave of protests began at the end of March.

The latest protests started when the Supreme Court stripped the opposition-controlled National Assembly of much of its powers on March 29.  

It reversed its decision three days later amid a storm of international criticism but hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans continued to flood the streets demanding an end to Maduro's presidency.

The protests have frequently ended in violent confrontations with security forces, which have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, and there also have clashes with pro-government groups.

Venezuela's chief prosecutor, Luisa Ortega Diaz, on Tuesday said more than 400 people had been injured and nearly 1,300 detained since the protests against the leftist president began last month. 

Opposition leaders have blamed armed pro-government militias known as 'colectivos' for a number of the deaths, while government officials have accused the opposition of working with criminal gangs to stir up unrest.

In the latest tally of deaths, authorities announced that Christian Humberto Ochoa Soriano, 22, had been shot and killed during a Monday protest shortly after he walked out of his home in Valencia, a city of east of Caracas. It was unknown if he was affiliated with the demonstration.

Opponents of  Maduro have taken part in further protests against the president in Caracas today 

Opponents of Maduro have taken part in further protests against the president in Caracas today 

Riot police officers clash with opposition supporters during a rally in Caracas today 

Riot police officers clash with opposition supporters during a rally in Caracas today 

The protest came as Venezuela's socialist government threatened to pull out of the Organization of American States over criticism of the administration's handling of its political opponents

The protest came as Venezuela's socialist government threatened to pull out of the Organization of American States over criticism of the administration's handling of its political opponents

An opposition activist affected by tear gas is assisted during violent clashes with police in Caracas

An opposition activist affected by tear gas is assisted during violent clashes with police in Caracas

There were fierce confrontations in the capital between security forces and anti-government protesters, who staged yet another march amid political unrest that has been blamed for 27 deaths in recent weeks

There were fierce confrontations in the capital between security forces and anti-government protesters, who staged yet another march amid political unrest that has been blamed for 27 deaths in recent weeks

Opposition supporters prepare a barricade as they clash with security forces in the capital of Venezuela 

Opposition supporters prepare a barricade as they clash with security forces in the capital of Venezuela 

The swell of protests is the most violent in economically struggling Venezuela since two months of anti-government demonstrations in 2014 that resulted in dozens of deaths. 

Maduro has called for renewed dialogue, but opposition leaders have ruled that out as an option after earlier talks collapsed in December.

They have demanded early elections and the release of opposition politicians arrested since Maduro took office in 2013.  

Maduro has accused opposition leaders of stirring up violence to destabilise his government, create discontent and seize power.

The opposition accuses the government of using the security forces to repress peaceful protests, and of sending gun-toting thugs to attack them

The opposition accuses the government of using the security forces to repress peaceful protests, and of sending gun-toting thugs to attack them

The wave of protests since early April against socialist Maduro have sparked Venezuela's worst violence since 2014

The wave of protests since early April against socialist Maduro have sparked Venezuela's worst violence since 2014

As well as wanting a general election, Maduro's opponents are demanding the release of jailed activists, humanitarian aid to help offset shortages of food and medicine, and autonomy for the opposition-led legislature

As well as wanting a general election, Maduro's opponents are demanding the release of jailed activists, humanitarian aid to help offset shortages of food and medicine, and autonomy for the opposition-led legislature

The government have said dozens of businesses have been looted and many police officers and soldiers have been attacked by hooded protestors.

The Organisation of American States will hold an emergency meeting later today to discuss the crisis. 

Venezuela said on Wednesday that it was quitting the Organization in anger at pressure from the bloc over the government's handling of a deadly political crisis.

It is the first time a country has said it will quit since it was set up in 1948.   

Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the government would launch a two-year process to pull out of the Washington-based regional diplomatic grouping.

Venezuelan opposition Deputy Carlos Paparoni pushes the shields of riot policemen during a march in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition Deputy Carlos Paparoni pushes the shields of riot policemen during a march in Caracas

Opponents of President Maduro take cover behind homemade shields during clashes with security forces

Opponents of President Maduro take cover behind homemade shields during clashes with security forces

The center-right opposition blames Maduro for severe shortages of food, medicine and other essentials in the oil-rich country

The center-right opposition blames Maduro for severe shortages of food, medicine and other essentials in the oil-rich country

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets over the last month to protest against  Maduro, who they blame for triple-digit inflation, hours-long lines to get food, shortages of medical supplies and a rise in crime

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets over the last month to protest against Maduro, who they blame for triple-digit inflation, hours-long lines to get food, shortages of medical supplies and a rise in crime

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