Venezuela Protest News: Another Soldier Killed, Brings Death Count to 29

A captain in Venezuela's National Guard had been killed during a shoot out in the city of Maracay during another set of anti-government protests. This brings the total number of people killed during Venezuela's protests to 29. A man of Chinese origin was arrested under suspicion. "This morning in Aragua our GNB (National Guard) captain was killed by a shot in the head. Another victim of terrorist violence," wroe Vladimir Padrino, head of the National Armed Forces.

Maracay is about 80 miles west of Caracas - this death marks the 29th since protests agains the Venezuelan government began on February 12th. Venezuela has witnessed almost daily protests against President Nicolas Maduro, which, in a number of cases, have resulted in numerous casualties and the deaths of several civilians and police forces. Last week, a series of protests in Caracas left Captain Ramzor Ernesto Bracho, also from the GNB, accused of unnecessary force.

"The FANB (National Armed Forces) does not repress peaceful demonstrations: it protects them and acts preventatively. The FANB combats all expression of violence and terrorism and without its "responsbile and docrtinary action" the "spillage of Venezuelan blood wouldbe far worse. Enough agression!" wrote Padrino. However, student protesters maintain that government forces are at the center of the violence and aggression that has overtaken the country.