The Chinese Embassy in Venezuela has activated an emergency response to escalating violent protests in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, urging Chinese citizens to avoid areas of unrest after reports that shops run by Chinese had been robbed.
The embassy said there have been no reports of Chinese casualties, but that it is closely following developments and is ready to respond where necessary.
Opposition activists wave a Venezuelan national flag during clashes with riot police within a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on May 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
China’s ambassador to Venezuela, Zhao Bentang, has spoken to Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez and urged Venezuela to protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens, according to the embassy.
The city of Valencia has seen increasing violence and widespread looting this week, as the death toll in nationwide protests against President Nicolas Maduro has risen to 37.
A 20-year-old Venezuelan protester died on Friday after being shot in the head, another 717 people have been injured and 152 are still in jail from the hundreds rounded up in widespread unrest around the volatile South American country. The wave of violent protests has rocked the country since April 1 as the opposition calls for the Maduro to step down.
Opposition activists clash with riot police during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on May 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
Opposition leaders have announced nationwide women's marches for Saturday, with the biggest planned for the capital Caracas.
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