A PROTESTER is lit up in a fireball as angry crowds clashed with riot police in Venezuela's capital Caracas.

The man caught fire as masked yobs hurled petrol bombs and stones at officers who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

24 A protester is engulfed in flames during anti-government protests in Caracas Credit: Getty Images

24 He was set on fire as masked demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at police Credit: Getty Images

24 The man, on the right wearing a white t-shirt, was apparently set alight when a police motorcycle exploded Credit: Getty Images

24 Incredible pictures show the moment a fireball engulfed the protester, setting his clothes alight Credit: Getty Images

24 Fellow protesters helped extinguish the flames and got him medical aid Credit: Getty Images

An astonishing sequence of photos and local reports suggest the protester was engulfed in flames after the petrol tank of a police motorbike exploded.

Fellow anti-government demonstrators helped extinguish the flames and took him for medical aid.

Another protester was apparently run over after charging at an armoured car used by the National Guard.

Two opposition politicians were injured as thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets in protest at president Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution.

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24 Members of the Bolivarian National Guard desperately scramble after falling off a motorbike Credit: AP:Associated Press

24 Demonstrators wave the Venezuelan flag as they retreat from charging riot police Credit: Getty Images

24 A swearing protester moments before launching a petrol bomb towards riot police Credit: Reuters

24 A police riot van is dramatically struck with a petrol bomb and goes up in flames Credit: Reuters

24 Demonstrators cheer as the armoured van is engulfed in flames Credit: Reuters

24 Riot police fire tear gas while clashing with opposition supporters Credit: Reuters

24 A masked protester hurls back a tear gas canister towards police lines Credit: EPA

24 Bolivian riot police run for safety after they are pushed off a motorbike Credit: Getty Images

24 An armed protester leads dozens of masked men towards police Credit: Getty Images

Violence broke out when riot cops blocked demonstrators from marching on government buildings in the city centre where Mr Maduro was addressing supporters.

It was the latest in more than a month of clashes that have killed at least 31 people amid shortages of food, medicine and basic goods.

Opponents accuse the socialist president of "fraud" in bypassing the National Assembly to push through constitutional reforms that would strengthen his grip on power.

He has for months been resisting calls for a vote to remove him from office.

24 Police line up in formation next to their armoured cars as burning rubble lies ahead Credit: EPA

24 Another protester was injured when he was apparently run over by a police armoured car Credit: Getty Images

24 He and another man were hit by the vehicle after they reportedly charged towards it amid ugly clashed in Caracas Credit: Getty Images

24 An injured demonstrator is dragged away in the latest violent protest against the president Credit: Getty Images

24 The young-looking protester stares in shock as they are taken from danger Credit: Reuters

24 Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets after protesters threw petrol bombs and stones Credit: Getty Images

24 It is the latest in a wave of clashed that have killed at least 31 people in the last month Credit: Getty Images

Senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles said Mr Maduro was trying to dodge local elections due this year and a presidential poll due in late 2018.

He said: "Since they cannot win elections they want to impose the Cuban electoral model to keep themselves in power."

Cuba, the only one-party communist regime in the Americas, is Mr Maduro's closest ally.

The president, who took over after Hugo Chavez died in 2013, says the crisis is the result of a US-backed capitalist conspiracy as the price of Venezuela's main export, oil, has plummeted.

24 Violence broke out as protesters were blocked from approaching a rally where president Nicolas Maduro addressed supporters Credit: Getty Images

24 Opponents says he is trying to strengthen his grip on power by rewriting the constitution Credit: AP:Associated Press

24 Thousands have taken to the streets amid shortages of food and medicine Credit: Getty Images

Mr Maduro accused the opposition of "moving into a phase of armed insurgency" adding: "In these grave circumstances, the only way to ensure peace is a constituent assembly."

The past month of protests has shut down many schools and businesses, and Caracas' once-vibrant nightlife has died due to fears of violence and looting.

Venezuela has seen three attempted military coups since 1992. In 2014, clashes at anti-government protests killed 43 people.

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