Protester killed in anti-government unrest in Venezuela

2014-02-13 125

WARNING-STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES

An anti-government protest in Venezuela turns deadly.

One person was killed - apparently from a gunshot wound to the head - in the capital Caracas Wednesday.

An official claimed the man was a government supporter.

The death comes amid the worst bout of unrest in the country since protests against President Nicolas Maduro's election last year.

The demonstration started peacefully with posters and slogans denouncing rampant crime, corruption and economic hardship.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER, EMMANUEL (ONE NAME ONLY GIVEN) SAYING:

"Venezuela is waking up, enough of so much insecurity, so much repression on the part of all the State's public authorities. We are tired and we are demonstrating today."

A rival pro-government demonstration was also taking place.

Maduro used the event to accuse right-wing "fascists" of seeking to destabilize his government.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRE