Venezuela protests death toll hits 43

Caracas: At least 43 people have died in opposition protests against President Nicolas Maduro that began in February, a non-government group has said after a student died from a bullet wound.

Alfredo Romero, who heads the Penal Forum group, said yesterday Josue Farias died in the western city of Maracaibo from a gunshot injury sustained during an anti-government protest nearly a month ago on May 29. Farias was an accounting student.

Demonstrators have protested against rampant crime, runaway inflation and shortages of basic goods.