Venezuela protest death toll rises in renewed violence

Three more people have been killed in Venezuela, in rival protests both for and against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The latest violence raised the death toll to 24 in three weeks of protests.

Public defender Tarek Saab said several others were seriously injured and "between life and death".

The latest protests were sparked by the decision of the Supreme Court to take over the powers of the opposition-dominated National Assembly.

The court's reversal of the ruling was not enough to stop a wave of demonstrations, with opposition supporters calling for immediate elections.

On Monday a man was shot dead in a pro-government demonstration in the city of Merida. Two other men - one in Merida and another in the nearby town of Barinas - also died, though it is not clear what side of the protests they were on.

Merida state governor Henrique Capriles, one of Venezuela's main opposition leaders, tweeted that "paramilitary groups" were responsible for the killings.

Twelve people have been killed in pro and anti-government demonstrations this month so far.

Another 11 people died on Friday when a bakery was looted in Caracas.

Monday's protest was labelled a "national sit-in" by the opposition, blocking the main roads in the country.

Little by little the Caracas highway, a huge avenue that crosses the capital, was filled with people dressed in white.

Some brought board games, others carried food and drinks. And some brought vinegar and baking soda in case the protest was dispersed with tear gas.

Like the silent protest on Saturday, this a creative attempt to refresh the forms of protest that have been repressed, or have become predictable.

By blocking Caracas, the opposition has achieved its first goal of calling attention.

But the opposition spokesmen, mounted on trucks, said the end goal is clear: elections.

Demonstrators who spoke to the BBC, however, just hope that there will be a change of direction: renewal of public powers, release of imprisoned politicians - any change, at this stage, will be welcome.

There have been anti-government protests across cities in Venezuela almost daily this month, while government supporters have been holding marches to show their loyalty to President Maduro.

Both government and opposition supporters as well as bystanders have been killed.

What is behind the crisis in Venezuela?

There is little sign of the protests subsiding as the opposition has vowed to "stay on the streets" until presidential elections due to be held at the end of 2018 are brought forward.

Vatican-backed talks held late last year failed to yield any notable agreements and ended after the opposition accused the government of intransigence.

Opposition groups have called on their supporters to hold another protest on Wednesday.