At least one person was shot and wounded today when foes and supporters of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez clashed in Caracas as violence flared anew over the opposition's bid to force the leftist leader to resign.
Demonstrators and police threw themselves to the ground after dozens of shots rang out near the center of the capital, breaking the uneasy calm that had settled on the streets during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the month-old crisis.
"There was a volley of shots, we all threw ourselves to the ground. There was chaos and total panic. The shooting didn't stop," said a Reuters photographer at the scene.
National Guard troops and police earlier fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to stop a few hundred Chavez supporters from attacking thousands of opposition marchers. Confused running battles broke out with troops as both sides tossed bottles and rocks. Troops replied with more gas.
One Civil Protection official was shot in the stomach, police said. But it was unclear who had opened fire. At least five other people were wounded by stones or bottles during the earlier clashes, emergency officials said.