Politics

Clashes in Caracas

Demonstrators clash with riot police during the so-called "mother of all marches" against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Christian Veron | Reuters

Tensions in Venezuela have escalated as people flooded the streets protesting the left-wing regime of President Nicolas Maduro, with more protests hitting just hours after at least two people were killed and hundreds arrested in what many called "the mother of all marches."

Tens of thousands of protesters demanding elections and denouncing an increasingly dictatorial government were met by a curtain of tear gas and rubber bullets as they attempted to march to downtown Caracas this week. Dozens even had to slide down a concrete embankment and into the Guaire River to escape the noxious fumes. Armed civilian supporters of Maduro have also attacked anti-Maduro protesters.

The oil-rich South American country has been teetering near collapse for a while, as its inflation rate hit a crippling 800 percent last year and living conditions remain unbearable, with most people unable to find enough food to eat.

Here are some images reflecting protests between April 6 and April 20.

Opposition demonstrators clash with riot police

Opposition demonstrators clash with riot police during the so-called "mother of all marches" against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, April 19, 2017.
Marco Bello | Reuters

'Mother of all Marches' in Caracas on April 19th

Demonstrators rally during the so-called "mother of all marches" against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Christian Veron | Reuters

National Guard fire tear gas at protesters.

National Guard officers fire tear gas during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
Carlos Becerra | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Protester flees the scene

A demonstrator runs during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 19, 2017.
Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images

Clouds of tear gas smoke unleashed

A demonstrator throws back a tear gas grenade while clashing with riot police during the so-called "mother of all marches" against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A bakery ransacked in Caracas.

Workers look for valuables among the damaged goods in a bakery after it was looted in Caracas, Venezuela April 20, 2017.
Christian Veron | Reuters

Venezuelan opposition leader and Governor of Miranda state Henrique Capriles (C) participates.

Venezuelan opposition leader and Governor of Miranda state Henrique Capriles (C) participates in the so-called "mother of all marches" against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Marco Bello | Reuters

Protester launches molotov cocktail at riot police

Demonstrators clash with the police during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 19, 2017.
Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images

Protests in Miami, Florida in support of Venezuela opposition

Protesters with flags and signs chant during a rally against the Venezuelan government at a rally in front of the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, on April 19, 2017.
Rhona Wise | AFP | Getty Images

The President looks on

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro uses binoculars during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Miraflores Palace | Handout via Reuters

An injured protester

An injured demonstrator stands near police during protests against unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro in San Cristobal, Venezuela April 19, 2017.
Carlos Eduardo Ramirez | Reuters

Protester faces off with riot police

A Venezuelan opposition activist holds a lit Molotov cocktail during clashes with riot police in Caracas on April 10, 2017.
Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images

Riot policemen are attacked with Molotov cocktails in Caracas on Saturday.

Riot policemen are attacked with Molotov cocktails by demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas on April 8, 2017.
Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images


A riot police officer in Caracas fires tear gas Saturday.

A riot police officer fires tear gas while clashing with demonstrators during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, April 8, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


Opposition activists clash with police in Caracas on Thursday.

Venezuelan opposition activists clash with the police during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on April 6, 2017 in Caracas.
Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images


Riot police take positions during clashes in Caracas on Monday.

Riot police members take positions during clashes with demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government -for the fifth time in the last week- in Caracas on April 10, 2017.
Frederico Parra | AFP | Getty Images


A Madura opponent clashes with the police in Caracas on Thursday.

A Venezuelan opposition activists wears a gas mask during clahes with the police within a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on April 6, 2017 in Caracas.
Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images


A demonstrator is arrested in Caracas on Thursday.

A demonstrator is arrested by riot police while rallying against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela April 10, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


A clash in the capital on Saturday.

A demonstrator against Nicolas Maduro's government deploys a Venezuelan flag during clashes with riot police in Caracas on April 8, 2017.
Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images


The sign at a rally Saturday says "no more repression."

People participate in an opposition rally in Caracas, Venezuela, April 8, 2017. The sign reads "no more repression".
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


A man on Monday walks in front of graffiti that reads "Chavismo means starvation," referring to Maduro's predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez.

A man walks in front of a graffiti that reads "Chavismo means starvation" in Caracas, Venezuela April 10, 2017.
Christian Veron | Reuters


A demonstrator shows empty shotgun shells during a rally in Caracas on Tuesday.

A demonstrator shows empty shotgun shells during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela April 10, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


Demonstrators attack a water cannon vehicle on during clashes with riot police in Caracas on Saturday.

Demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government attack a water cannon vehicle during clashes with riot police in Caracas on April 8, 2017.
Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images


Police barricade protesters into a confined area on Thursday.

The center-right opposition vowed fresh street protests -after earlier unrest left dozens of people injured - to increase pressure on Maduro, whom they blame for the country's economic crisis.
Carlos Becerra | AFP | Getty Images

Riot police fire tear gas as demonstrators rally in Caracas on Tuesday.

Venezuelan police fire tear gas at anti-Maduro protesters in Caracas on April 8th, 2017.
Christian Veron | Reuters


Demonstrators rally in Caracas on Tuesday.

Demonstrators rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela April 10, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


Riot officer attacked on Tuesday

Demonstrators grab a riot police officer at a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas.
Christian Veron | Reuters

Demonstrators flee during a rally Tuesday.

Demonstrators run away during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela April 10, 2017.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters


An anti-Maduro protester wears a gas mask on Saturday.

Riot police and demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government clash in Caracas on April 8, 2017. A protester confronts police wearing a gas mask and holding a tear gas canister.
Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images

Thousand march on Caracas on Saturday.

Thousands of demonstrators protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government march in Caracas on April 8, 2017.
Carlos Becerra | AFP | Getty Images