[h=2]Warning: This article contains images that readers might find disturbing.[/h]Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused opposition protesters of setting alight a government supporter in Caracas on the 50th day of protests.
Orlando José Figuera suffered burns to 80% of his body after he was engulfed in flames. Officials said he was also stabbed in Saturday's protests.
Witnesses said the crowd had accused the man of being a thief.
On the same day, an opposition activist was shot dead, bringing the total number killed in recent protests to 48.
The attorney general's office said gunmen allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators in the western city of Valera.
Edy Alejandro Teran Aguilar died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while two others were wounded.
"A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed... They nearly lynched him, just because he shouted out that he was a 'Chavista'," President Maduro said, referring to the ruling Socialist movement set up by his predecessor Hugo Chavez.
Speaking on his weekly TV programme, Mr Maduro described it as "a hate crime and a crime against humanity".
It is thought 46 people were injured in the demonstration in eastern Caracas where Mr Figuera, 21, was hurt.
Journalist and politician Earle Herrera said the man had been accused of being a thief, according to AFP news agency.
[h=2]Warning: This article contains images that readers might find disturbing.[/h]Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused opposition protesters of setting alight a government supporter in Caracas on the 50th day of protests.
Orlando José Figuera suffered burns to 80% of his body after he was engulfed in flames. Officials said he was also stabbed in Saturday's protests.
Witnesses said the crowd had accused the man of being a thief.
On the same day, an opposition activist was shot dead, bringing the total number killed in recent protests to 48.
The attorney general's office said gunmen allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators in the western city of Valera.
Edy Alejandro Teran Aguilar died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while two others were wounded.
"A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed... They nearly lynched him, just because he shouted out that he was a 'Chavista'," President Maduro said, referring to the ruling Socialist movement set up by his predecessor Hugo Chavez.
Speaking on his weekly TV programme, Mr Maduro described it as "a hate crime and a crime against humanity".
It is thought 46 people were injured in the demonstration in eastern Caracas where Mr Figuera, 21, was hurt.
Journalist and politician Earle Herrera said the man had been accused of being a thief, according to AFP news agency.
Despite having the world's largest known oil reserves, Venezuela is facing a shortage of many basic items, including food and medicines.
Its economy has collapsed, with inflation expected to top 700% this year, and crime is rampant.
The opposition is calling for early elections and the release of opposition politicians jailed in recent years, saying the socialist governments of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, have mismanaged the economy since coming to power in 1999.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39994965
Orlando José Figuera suffered burns to 80% of his body after he was engulfed in flames. Officials said he was also stabbed in Saturday's protests.
Witnesses said the crowd had accused the man of being a thief.
On the same day, an opposition activist was shot dead, bringing the total number killed in recent protests to 48.
The attorney general's office said gunmen allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators in the western city of Valera.
Edy Alejandro Teran Aguilar died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while two others were wounded.
- Why the crisis is likely to get worse
- 'I begged my son not to go and protest'
- Venezuela's week of protest in pictures
"A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed... They nearly lynched him, just because he shouted out that he was a 'Chavista'," President Maduro said, referring to the ruling Socialist movement set up by his predecessor Hugo Chavez.
Speaking on his weekly TV programme, Mr Maduro described it as "a hate crime and a crime against humanity".
It is thought 46 people were injured in the demonstration in eastern Caracas where Mr Figuera, 21, was hurt.
Journalist and politician Earle Herrera said the man had been accused of being a thief, according to AFP news agency.
[h=2]Warning: This article contains images that readers might find disturbing.[/h]Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused opposition protesters of setting alight a government supporter in Caracas on the 50th day of protests.
Orlando José Figuera suffered burns to 80% of his body after he was engulfed in flames. Officials said he was also stabbed in Saturday's protests.
Witnesses said the crowd had accused the man of being a thief.
On the same day, an opposition activist was shot dead, bringing the total number killed in recent protests to 48.
The attorney general's office said gunmen allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators in the western city of Valera.
Edy Alejandro Teran Aguilar died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while two others were wounded.
- Why the crisis is likely to get worse
- 'I begged my son not to go and protest'
- Venezuela's week of protest in pictures
"A person was set on fire, beaten up, stabbed... They nearly lynched him, just because he shouted out that he was a 'Chavista'," President Maduro said, referring to the ruling Socialist movement set up by his predecessor Hugo Chavez.
Speaking on his weekly TV programme, Mr Maduro described it as "a hate crime and a crime against humanity".
It is thought 46 people were injured in the demonstration in eastern Caracas where Mr Figuera, 21, was hurt.
Journalist and politician Earle Herrera said the man had been accused of being a thief, according to AFP news agency.
Despite having the world's largest known oil reserves, Venezuela is facing a shortage of many basic items, including food and medicines.
Its economy has collapsed, with inflation expected to top 700% this year, and crime is rampant.
The opposition is calling for early elections and the release of opposition politicians jailed in recent years, saying the socialist governments of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, have mismanaged the economy since coming to power in 1999.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39994965
