Johnson calls for change in Venezuela

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said he is “deeply saddened” by deaths during political protests in Venezuela, as he urged the country’s socialist government to change course.

Venezuelan authorities have routinely used tear gas and rubber bullets throughout nearly four months of street protests, during which at least 97 people have died and thousands have been injured or detained.

Unrest has been sparked by Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro’s plans to rewrite the country’s constitution.

Mr Johnson said: “I am deeply saddened that nearly 100 people have died in protests in Venezuela since the end of March.

“The citizens of Venezuela deserve better and urgent action should be taken to stop matters from getting worse.”

He also called on the Venezuelan government “to refrain from divisive and inflammatory action”, including plans to hold an election for the country’s national constituent assembly on Sunday.

Critics fear the election will damage the country’s democracy.