Total Of 7 People Killed In Protests Across Venezuela On Wednesday - NGO Foro Penal

Fakhir Rizvi Published January 24, 2019 | 02:24 PM

A total of seven people were killed in nationwide anti-governmental protests in Venezuela on Wednesday, Venezuelan non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal, advocating human rights, said on Thursday

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) A total of seven people were killed in nationwide anti-governmental protests in Venezuela on Wednesday, Venezuelan non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal, advocating human rights, said on Thursday.

According to media reports, the protests, which started in the beginning of the week, have claimed 16 lives.

"On January 23, seven people died (were killed) during the protests: two in [the state of] Amazonas, one in Barinas (two more deaths are currently being confirmed), two in Portuguesa, and two in Tachira. We are currently [in the process of] confirming other deaths," the NGO said.

A total of 218 people have been arrested since Monday so far.

Nationwide ant-governmental protests have been shaking Venezuela since the beginning of the week, while supporters of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, have also held rallies.

On Tuesday, the opposition-run Venezuelan National Assembly adopted a statement declaring Maduro an usurper. On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in the Venezuelan capital.