Violence across the nation has seen 26 citizens shot by pro-government forces, five killed in house raids and 11 others killed during looting, UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville has said. Mr Colville added of those detained between January 21 and January 26, include 77 children with some as young as 12-year-old. January 23 saw a record 696 people detained by authorities across the country – the highest number in a single day in 20 years.
Widespread disruption was sparked after President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a second term despite reports insists the polls were marred by an opposition boycott and vote-rigging claims, earlier this month.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has since declared himself “acting president” a move which has been backed by up to 20 countries including the US and UK.
Mr Guaidó , the elected leader of the opposition-held National Assembly, said: “I am the only legitimate president of Venezuela.
“There was no election in 2018. Maduro’s term in office is over so he is unlawfully in office and is governing as a dictator.”
In a bid to force political change in Venezuela the White House imposed restrictions on Venezuelan state-oil company PDVSA, on January 28.
The south-american country is heavily reliant on the US for its oil revenue – sending 41 percent of its oil exports there.
With tensions rising, Mr Maduro later responded to the sanctions and instructed the PDVSA to launch “political and legal action, in US and international courts”.
China has also lent more than $50 billion to Venezuela through oil-for-loan agreements over the past decade, securing energy supplies for its fast-growing economy.
But the financing dried up as the South American country’s economy began spiralling downward in 2015, pressured by plummeting oil prices.
However many believe the growing pressure, political and economic crisis thrust upon the country through sanctions and other measures, will encourage Mr Maduro to step down.
But he maintains the support of the powerful military, which until now has been mostly loyal to the leftist ruling party founded by late President Hugo Chavez.
In a plea to the military Mr Guaidó has asked them to “put themselves on the side of the Venezuelan people”.