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In a tense political stalemate, the May 1 rallies in Venezuela were marked by clashes between opposition supporters and the armed forces in Caracas. A woman was reportedly killed, dozens wounded and people arrested.
A 27-year-old woman named Jurubith Rausseo died Wednesday in a clinic in Caracas. According to an NGO, the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict, she was shot in the head during the demonstration in May.
Human rights organizations and health services reported that one person had been shot and at least 45 others had been wounded in clashes. The National Guard fired tear gas at protesters who were throwing stones.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido called on his supporters to demonstrate against President Nicolas Maduro following the revolt of some soldiers.
Very high voltage
Tensions in Venezuela have skyrocketed since Juan Guaido invoked the constitution to declare himself acting president on January 23, 2019. He did so by baderting that the re-election of Nicolas Maduro in 2018 was illegitimate.
The day before, soldiers and members of the Bolivarian National Guard who had joined Guaido were revolted.
The country is plagued by power cuts and the population is facing severe shortages of food and medicine as inflation soars.
Guaido called on his supporters to hold the street protests.
Venezuela is not alone
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned the Venezuelan authorities not to use excessive force against protesters, while the United States and Russia have accused each other of worsening the crisis.
In a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Moscow of "destabilizing" Venezuela.
Lavrov, in turn, said the US interference was "destructive" and "in flagrant violation of international law".
(with news agencies)
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