At least seven people have been killed during unrest in Venezuela following mass protests against the South American country’s president Nicolas Maduro.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country in a bid to topple the socialist leader, who is clinging onto power amid political and economic crisis.

Juan Guaido, the new leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself the country’s interim president as he addressed cheering crowds in the capital Caracas on Wednesday.

The demonstrations had been planned by a newly invigorated opposition to coincide with the anniversary of the end of Venezuela‘s last military dictatorship in 1958.

Tensions have been escalating since Mr Maduro office for a second six-year term on 10 January following a widely boycotted election, described by several foreign governments as a sham.

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government epa07313731 Opponents of Chavism demonstrate against the Government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, 23 January 2019. Chavists and opponents are again demonstrating in the streets of the country to support or question the legitimacy of the head of state, which the Parliament and a large part of the international community do not recognize. EPA/CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas on January 23, 2019. - Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declared himself the country's "acting president" on Wednesday during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images YURI CORTEZ AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

Mr Guaido vowed to establish a transitional government until legitimate elections could be held, a move he said was the only way to end “dictatorship” in Venezuela, where millions have fled in recent years to escape sky-high inflation and shortages of food and medicine.

In a united and seemingly coordinated front, the US, Canada and another dozen mostly Latin American countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, quickly announced that they supported Mr Guaido’s claim to the presidency. Uruguay and Bolivia did not support the move, while Mexico maintained its policy of remaining neutral.

The UK and European Union lbacked Venezuela’s national assembly, with the EU calling for the start of “an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections”.

“The 2018 presidential election in Venezuela was neither free nor fair, so the regime’s basis for power is deeply flawed,” added a spokesman for British prime minister Theresa May.

Russia, which has invested heavily in Venezuela’s oil industry and provided support to its armed forces, said it backed the current government and warned the US against military intervention. Turkey took a similar line, with president Tayyip Erdogan calling Mr Maduro to offer support.

In a televised broadcast from the presidential palace, the Venezuelan president accused the opposition attempted to stage a coup with Washington’s support. He also announced he was cutting diplomatic ties with the US and gave American diplomatic personnel 72 hours to leave the country.

Any change of government would be likely to require a shift in allegiance within the armed forces, which have so far stood by the president through two waves of street protests and a steady dismantling of democratic institutions.

While the protests in the capital were mostly peaceful, there were no signs that security forces heeded Mr Guaido’s call to join the anti-Maduro movement and go easy on demonstrators.

Four protesters were killed by gunfire as security forces dispersed a crowd in the western city of Barinas. Three others were killed amid unrest in the border city of San Cristobal.

Millions of people have emigrated from Venezuela amid sky-high inflation and food shortages (Statista) (Statista (https://www.statista.com/chartoftheday))

The demonstrations in Caracas were largely peaceful, although violence flared in Altamira, an upscale neighbourhood of the capital and an opposition stronghold, when troops used tear gas to disperse a crowd of youths lingering around a plaza.

Amnesty International accused Mr Maduro’s government of “using bullets in an attempt to silence those who make legitimate demands for their human rights”.