Venezuela Officials Confirm 4 Killed in Protests

At least four people were killed during anti-government protests in the northwest city of Barquisimeto, Venezuelan officials said Saturday.


Officials confirmed the deaths occurred in clashes in Barquisimeto late Friday but offered no details.


There have been almost daily protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro for the past three months.


The deaths brought the toll to at least 83 fatalities since April. Authorities said more than 1,000 people have been injured.


On Saturday, a few thousand anti-government protesters took to the streets of Caracas, the capital.


Opponents of Maduro contend the leader has undermined democracy by canceling a key referendum and interfering with the functions of Congress, among other issues. Protesters have been demanding a presidential vote and solutions to food and health care shortages.


Maduro warned earlier this week that he and his supporters would take up arms if his socialist government were to be violently overthrown by the opponents protesting in the streets.