Venezuelan political unrest turns deadly

(Vatican Radio) Three people have been shot dead, following anti Government protests in the Venezuelan capitol, Caracas. James Blears reports that the demonstrations show the continuing polarization of pro-and anti-establishment factions.
Listen to the report:

Thousands of protestors had marched to the Federal Prosecutors headquarters demanding the release of arrested colleagues. So, pro-government supporters have now rallied there. Some highways were blocked and the acrid smoke from burning tires added to the pungent mix of instability. One of the dead was a pro-government supporter while two were anti-government protesters.

A court has issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, accusing him of murder and terrorism linked to the unrest. Lopez insists he spent the day in meetings with strategists and strongly denies any involvement with the killings. He blames government activists and challenges President Nicolas Maduro to detain him, suggesting Maduro is being influenced by Cuba.

President Maduro is stressing that further opposition demonstrations won't be allowed. But there will be a pro-government rally on Saturday.

Referring to a coup which briefly ousted his mentor, the late President Hugo Chavez twelve years ago, he's stressing there'll be no repeat of that, and he's insisting that those perpetrating acts of violence will face justice.