2 killed in conflict over road barricade

CARACAS, Venezuela — A National Guardsman and a civilian motorcycle taxi driver were killed Thursday in a clash between residents of a Caracas neighborhood and armed men who tried to remove a barricade, Venezuelan officials said.

Both were apparently shot Thursday morning after residents began banging pots and throwing bottles at people taking down a street barricade. The opposition accuses the government of using armed civilian groups on motorcycles to break up demonstrations.

Just before the deaths were announced, the country’s chief prosecutor said the death toll from the protests stood at 19 after weeks of student-led protests.

Barricades of garbage, furniture and burning tires have become a daily occurrence, snarling traffic in cities.

In a televised speech at a new government apartment building, attended by actor Danny Glover, President Nicolas Maduro said the motorcyclist was removing debris so he could go about his job. The National Guard arrived to secure the area and was killed.

Maduro said a second motorcyclist was also seriously injured.

“Where are the opposition politicians to condemn these events, to search for peace like we’re searching?” Maduro asked. He called those building the barricades “vandals who hate the people.”