Students attempted to march from a Caracas university yesterday to protest the socialist country's deteriorating economy. But hundreds of riot police prevented them from leaving campus, deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades.
The students threw stones and firecrackers, one of which caught a policeman in the side.
The hours-long street battle ended with pro-government militia members in bandanas storming the campus.
Student leader Juan Requesens says at least three protesters were hospitalised. The militia members prevented journalists from photographing a student who lay on the ground, apparently gravely injured.