
Protesters hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces who retaliated with water cannons and tear gas as the violent clashes which have claimed 59 lives continue in Venezuela.

Police used the increasingly forceful measures to disperse tens of thousands of opposition protesters heading towards the foreign ministry as the Organization of American States held another meeting on the continuing crisis.

Two months of protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government have convulsed the South American OPEC nation, with at least 59 people killed in the unrest.

In the latest uprising, opposition supporters demanding elections, freedom for jailed activists, and foreign humanitarian aid, marched onto Caracas' main highway aiming to reach the ministry.

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Demonstrators look on as motorcycles belonging to riot security forces are set on fire during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas

A police officer in a tear gas mask carried away an injured opposition protester on a motorbike as the riots continued

Demonstrators ready to fire a home made mortar against government security forces amid the violent clashes

An opposition activist wearing a helmet and gas mask stands near a burning motorbike. Two months of protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government have convulsed the South American OPEC nation, with at least 59 people killed in the unrest

But as happens near-daily with rallies trying to reach government offices, National Guard soldiers blocked their way and drove them back with volleys of gas and shoots of water.

Masked youths hurled stones and Molotov cocktails in return.

'It's always the same. We set off peacefully and they attack us. We have to respond, we're human beings,' said law student Brian Suarez, 20, holding a homemade wooden shield depicting a shooting target with the faces of Maduro and other officials.

'Here are the faces of the people who have led us to ruin,' he added, as some women handed food, shoes and other supplies to the young men battling the security forces.

With international pressure mounting on Maduro, foreign ministers from the 34-nation OAS bloc were to meet in Washington, D.C., later on Wednesday to debate the situation in Venezuela.

When that meeting was announced last month, Venezuela said it was withdrawing from the OAS in protest.

Maduro, 54, accuses opponents of seeking his violent overthrow with U.S. support, similar to a short-lived 2002 coup against his popular predecessor Hugo Chavez.

He has called for the creation of a super-body, or constituent assembly, with powers to rewrite the constitution, in voting set for the end of July.

Members of the media argue with riot security forces: With international pressure mounting on Maduro, foreign ministers from the 34-nation OAS bloc were to meet in Washington, D.C., to debate the situation in Venezuela

Demonstrators look on as motorcycles belonging to riot security forces are set on fire during a rally

Opposition supporters demanding elections, freedom for jailed activists, and foreign humanitarian aid, marched onto Caracas' main highway aiming to reach the ministry

In recent weeks, Venezuelans protesting against President Nicolas Maduro's government have pelted riot police with flaming Molotov cocktails as the unrest continues

Officers retaliated by firing tear gas and water cannon to stop hundreds of anti-government protesters from marching in the capital Caracas

Outrage against President Maduro, who critics blame for the country's crippling economy and dire food shortages, have ranged from peaceful marches to violent melees

Riot police agents are attacked with fireworks by demonstrators, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's government, in Caraca

Both the Venezuelan government and the opposition admit that violent protests that have gripped the country for nearly two months are out of control

Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday began signing up candidates for a planned constitutional reform body, a move that has inflamed deadly unrest stemming from anti-government protests

Riot police water cannons aims its water jet at demonstrators: Opponents of socialist President Nicolas Maduro say he aims to keep himself in power by stacking the planned 'constituent assembly' with his allies

As well as deaths, the unrest in Venezuela has led to hundreds of injuries and, according to local rights group Penal Forum, nearly 3,000 people arrested of whom 1,351 remain held

'The constituent vote will bring us peace,' said Food Ministry worker Freimar Ruiz, 29, at a government rally mainly attended by public sector workers to mark the beginning of a period in which people can sign up to be candidates.

'They say we're paid to be here, but that's a lie, because if not, I wouldn't be so short of money!' she joked.

Four years of recession caused by failing socialist economic policies plus the decline in global oil prices have battered Venezuela's 30 million people.

Despite the opposition's calls for the military to abandon Maduro, the high command has retained its public support for him so far

Embattled Venezuelan opposition demonstrators and riot police clash during another furious protest

It has also made Maduro deeply unpopular, with plenty of people within the ruling 'Chavista' movement questioning the constituent assembly given that Chavez himself had the constitution re-written in 1999.

Venezuela's opposition is refusing to participate, saying the vote set for July is a sham, with biased rules to ensure the body is filled with Maduro supporters.

They fear a new assembly could then skew the rules for governors' elections in December of this year and the presidential vote slated for late 2018.

Polls show the government would lose any conventional vote.

As well as deaths, the unrest in Venezuela has led to hundreds of injuries and, according to local rights group Penal Forum, nearly 3,000 people arrested of whom 1,351 remain held.