Since April 1, daily anti-government protests across Venezuela have frequently devolved into clashes with riot police, leaving thousands arrested, hundreds injured, and 43 dead. Opposition activists are protesting against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, blaming him for a crippling economic crisis that has caused widespread food shortages for years. Venezuelan opposition leaders are demanding immediate presidential elections, accusing Maduro of political repression and trying to cling to power.
Venezuela's Crisis Deepens, Protests Escalate
-
-
-
-
Opposition activists are run over by a charging National Guard riot control vehicle during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 3, 2017. #
Carlos Becerra / AFP / Getty -
Volunteers, members of a primary care response team, kneel behind a tree during clashes with security forces at a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, on May 1, 2017. #
Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters -
-
A woman rests on a tire at a roadblock set up by residents outside her home in El Hatillo's municipality near Caracas, on May 2, 2017. Residents blocked streets with trash bags, broken concrete and twisted metal Tuesday to protest the president's bid to rewrite the constitution amid a deepening political crisis. #
Fernando Llano / AP -
View of damage in a supermarket in Valencia, Carabobo State, on May 5, 2017, the day after anti-government protesters looted stores, set fire to cars and clashed with police, leaving at least five people injured, and one dead after being hit in the head by a projectile . #
Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP / Getty -
-
People place crosses, representing people who have died during the most recent opposition protest movement, on the side of the highway during a national sit-in against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 15, 2017. #
Fernando Llano / AP -
-
A group of riot policemen are hit by a Molotov cocktail hurled by an opposition demonstrator during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 8, 2017. #
Carlos Becerra / AFP / Getty -
-
In this Monday, May 8, 2017 photo, an anti-government protester plays a violin as security forces block a student march from reaching the Education Ministry in Caracas. #
Ariana Cubillos / AP -
-
-
-
Opposition activists, seen here behind a Venezuelan flag, protest against the deaths of 43 people in clashes with the police during weeks of demonstrations against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 17, 2017. #
Juan Barreto / AFP / Getty
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.