Death of teen takes Venezuela protest toll to 66

CARACAS: A 17yearold Venezuelan protester died in clashes between security forces and protesters in Caracas yesterday, taking the death toll from unrest to at least 66.

The Government said Neomar Lander died when a homemade mortar exploded in his hands while hundreds of youths faced off with National Guard troops.

Opposition lawmakers, however, said he was killed by a teargas canister fired straight at him. The state prosecutor’s office announced an inquiry.

At least 66 people have died since demonstrations began against President Nicolas Maduro in April. Each side blames the other for the violence.

In Caracas yesterday, security forces using armoured vehicles, water cannons and teargas blocked opposition supporters from marching to the national election board’s headquarters, sparking clashes around the city.

Masked youths with homemade shields hurled stones and Molotov cocktails and set up burning roadblocks, while businesses and schools closed and residents ran for cover.

Maduro has sought to calm the situation by announcing the creation of a constituent assembly with powers to rewrite the constitution, but foes say that is a sham designed to keep the socialists in power.

The national election board announced yesterday votes for the new assembly would still go ahead on July 30, despite an opposition boycott, criticism from some within government and a legal appeal by state prosecutor Luisa Ortega, who said it threatened to ‘‘eliminate’’ democracy.

The proGovernment Supreme Court rejected her petition in a ruling made public yesterday. — Reuters