Venezuelan protesters set 'thief on fire' as 'pro-government forces shoot crowds' in riots
SHOCKING footage of a Venezuelan “thief” engulfed in a fireball and charging at protesters followed yet another day of demonstrations against nation’s government.
SHOCKING moment man is set on fire during Venezuelan protests
Orlando José Figuera suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and was reportedly stabbed having been branded a thief by the crowd.
Distressing photos show the man rip off his clothes in agony during Saturday’s riot in the capital city Caracas, that reportedly attracted 160,000 protesters.
It was the 50th day of protests and a man was set ablaze
Maduro claimed the man was targeted because he supported his presidency
A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed
Dissidents demanding President Nicolas Maduro step down and hold elections took to the streets across the countryto mark the 50th day of the increasingly violent demonstrations which have overwhelmed the country in recent weeks.
The embattled president, referring to the ruling Socialist movement set up by his predecessor Hugo Chavez, said: “A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed… They nearly lynched him, just because he shouted out that he was a Chavista.”
The man initially charged at a crowd of protestors but they eventually managed to put it out
Mr Maduro described it as “a hate crime and a crime against humanity”.
It is thought 46 people were injured in the demonstration in eastern Caracas where Mr Figuera, 21, was hurt.
A young demonstrator, in an anti-Maduro rally in the western city of Valera, died after being shot in the chest as gunmen opened fire at the crowds.
The attorney general's office in a statement: “At that moment, (Edy Alejandro) Teran Aguilar received a bullet in the chest.”
The man suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body
The death brings the total number killed in recent protests to 48.
Non-governmental monitor Foro Penal declared that since protests began on April 1, hundreds of people have been injured and at least 2,200 protesters have been detained.
Venezuela plunges into CHAOS as violent protests continue
Protesters are calling for the president to be removed
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said: “This has been a massacre against the people.
“Still, the more repression there is, the more we will resist and fight for Venezuela.”
It was the 50th day of violence in the country as economic turmoil causes outrage
Private surveys revealed that seven in ten people are said to oppose Mr Maduro as the country is facing a shortage of many basic items, including food and medicines.
Mariangel, a 24-year-old businesswoman, said: “It's been 50 days of protests. I'm here with my two children, I can't get any milk, I can't get any food.”
Reports suggest government forces are struggling to deal with protesters
The International Monetary Fund has forecast that inflation in Venezuela will be above 700 per cent this year.
Presidential elections are due to take place at the end of next year.