Venezuela's government had appealed to opposition demonstrators to halt their protests and head to the beaches for Sunday's traditional carnival day.
On the streets of Caracas that plea went largely unheeded.
These were the scenes as a peaceful protest organised by students descended into clashes between police and anti-government demonstrators.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ANABELLA, PROTESTER, SAYING:
"The government doesn't want to listen to us. They say they want to have dialogue but what they do is order national guards to throw tear gas canisters, rubber bullets, and use machines to fire rubber bullets in mass quantities from the rooftops. Our country is facing serious issues. This is an S.O.S cry for Venezuela. It's very critical and we need international help."
There are no signs that President Nicolas Maduro intends to bow to the protesters' demands for his resignation.
He says the weeks of demonstrations are part of a U.S.-backed coup plot.
