A pro-government activist² and at least one student were killed in a shootout, officials said.

 

At least 23 people are said to have been injured in demonstrations³ across the country. 

 

President Nicolas Maduro is facing rising criticism for the country's economic woes⁴ and high levels of violence. 

 

He later spoke⁵ on national TV, condemning⁶ the violence and appealing for calm.

 

"Let nobody go mad and accept provocations," Mr Maduro said.

 

The students were demonstrating against the detention⁷ of fellow students earlier in the week on the day Venezuela celebrated⁸ the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Victory, also known as the Venezuelan Day of Youth, an historical episode in which students defended a city against Spanish-led troops.

 

 

Opposition⁹ leaders also took part in the march.

 

But as in other protests called by the opposition, many also took to the streets to support the government.

 

The president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, accused right-wing activists¹⁰ of carrying out the acts of violence. 

 

"Fascism has murdered a comrade," Mr Cabello said on national TV.

 

But a leading opposition congresswoman, Maria Corina Machado, said violence had erupted as students were corralled by pro-government activists.

 

The leader of the opposition, Henrique Capriles, also appealed for calm.

 

"Violence will never be the way! We are confident that a large majority refuses and condemns¹¹ it," Mr Capriles wrote on Twitter.

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