At Least 10 Dead as Protesters Clash With Govt Forces in Venezuela

Critics say the assembly will vest Maduro with more power and allow rewriting of Venezuela’s constitution.

Anti-government demonstrators wait for Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guards, at a barricade in Caracas, Venezuela

(Photo: AP)

Venezuelan authorities said 10 people were killed in a deadly clash on the country’s election day on 30 July. It is one of the deadliest days since massive protests started in early April.

Violent protests rocked Venezuela on Sunday as voters broadly boycotted an election for a constitutional super-body that unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro vowed would begin a "new era of combat" in the crisis-stricken nation.

Sunday's election of delegates to the assembly comes after nearly four months of political upheaval that have resulted in more than 100 deaths and left thousands injured and detained.

The opposition has boycotted the vote by saying it was only meant to consolidate power into the president's hands. The boycott means that all of the 5,500 candidates running for the 545-seat assembly are in favour of Maduro's government.

The opposition estimated participation was at around a paltry 12 percent, but warned the government was gearing up to announce some 8.5 million people had voted.

Also read : 10 Killed in Clashes as Voters Boycott ‘Rigged’ Venezuela Election

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj