Venezuela's opposition has announced a two-day national strike against President Nicolas Maduro after a day of violent clashes in Caracas where the injured included a violinist who is a famous face of the protests.
The opposition Democratic Coalition - which organised a 24-hour shutdown this week that was heeded by millions and paralysed large swathes of the South American nation - said the next strike would be on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mass marches were also planned for Monday and Friday in an effort to force President Nicolas Maduro into aborting a controversial July 30 election for a new congress.
The fast-escalating political showdown in the South American OPEC nation comes after more than 100 people have died and thousands more injured in anti-government unrest since demonstrations began in April.
Foes accuse Maduro of turning Venezuela into a dictatorship and wrecking what should be a prosperous economy. They want free elections and an end to two decades of socialist rule.
On Saturday, several thousand protesters sought to march on the pro-Maduro Supreme Court in support of alternative magistrates appointed by the opposition on Friday.
But security forces blocked them with armoured cars and riot shields. Clashes ensued for several hours as hundreds of masked youths hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at National Guard troops firing tear gas from motorcycles.
The injured included musician Wuilly Arteaga. The 23-year-old has become famous in Venezuela for playing the national anthem and other tunes on his violin in front of security lines as battles rage around him.
Paramedics attended Arteaga in the street as blood poured down his face. He later tweeted a video from hospital with a bandaged face and clutching his violin.
"Neither rubber bullets nor pellets will stop our fight for Venezuela's independence," said Arteaga. "Tomorrow I will be back in the streets."
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