MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Reuters) — A student died in heated protests in Venezuela on Thursday (June 15) amidst a rising death toll in the divided nation, as thousands take to the streets to demand early elections.
Luis Vera, 21, died after he was run over in the western region of Maracaibo. Vera’s death brings the protest death toll to at least 69.
Protesters are demanding early elections, angry at widespread shortages, three-digit inflation, and rampant crime.
But President Nicolas Maduro accuses the opposition of stoking violence in the country as part of a United States-backed coup.
Speaking in Caracas, Maduro accused the opposition of exploiting the youth in protests, saying the driver who killed Vera was also a victim.
Instead of heeding the wish of protesters, Maduro has planned for a new legislative body tasked with rewriting the constitution. Maduro says the new constitution will resolve the political crisis.
