Venezuelan president’s opponents lay siege to air base

CARACAS, Venezuela — Protesters broke down a metal fence guarding an air base in Caracas on Saturday before being repelled by security forces firing tear gas in another day of anti-government protests in Venezuela’s capital.

Demonstrators threw stones and set fire to vehicles, and some were injured.

The clashes took place after a peaceful mass rally next to La Carlota base where a 22-year-old protester was killed last week when a national guardsman shot him at close range with rubber bullets.

President Nicolas Maduro said in an address to troops on Saturday that he had managed to break up a U.S.-backed plot to oust him. He praised Venezuela’s military for standing by his socialist government.

More than 70 people have been killed in almost three months of demonstrations.