Protests in Venezuela

In Venezuela, protests against the soaring crime rate, high inflation and a lack of basic necessities began on Feb. 2 in San Cristobal and spread to the capital, Caracas, where anti- and pro-government groups staged rival demonstrations.

Antigovernment protesters erected barricades across roads, causing traffic in some areas to come to a standstill. Demonstrations in support of President Nicolas Maduro took place in other parts of the city. At press time, 17 people had been killed and 150 injured, the result of police and pro-government gangs clashing with antigovernment protesters.