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Gunmen fire on Venezuela protest Gunmen fire on Venezuela protest
(1 day later)
Gunmen have opened fire on students returning from a protest in Caracas against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's planned reforms. Gunmen in Venezuela have opened fire on students returning from a peaceful march in Caracas against President Hugo Chavez's planned consitutional reforms.
Several people have been reported injured during the clashes, including at least two by gunfire. At least eight people were hurt during the clashes on a university campus, including at least one by gunfire.
The students were protesting against plans to remove presidential term limits, the subject of a referendum.The students were protesting against plans to remove presidential term limits, the subject of a referendum.
Thousands had marched peacefully to the Supreme Court and filed a demand for the vote to be suspended. Thousands had marched to Venezuela's Supreme Court and filed a demand for the December vote to be suspended.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the students as they returned from the march, prompting scenes of chaos as students fled. Last week, troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of students protesting in Caracas against the proposed amendments.
One witness told the Reuters news agency that after the initial violence supporters of Mr Chavez drove through the area on motorbikes and shooting into the air. Students fled
National Guardsmen had been posted along the march route to stop clashes between protesters and Chavez supporters. It is unclear how Wednesday's violence erupted.
Troops also surrounded the Central University of Venezuela, a centre of opposition to Mr Chavez's government. A number of gunmen arrived at the Central University of Venezuela campus on motorcycles, law faculty dean Jorge Pabon told AFP news agency.
They set a bus alight, and later fired at students from inside one of the university buildings.
In pictures: Student clashes
State TV showed footage of angry students setting fire to benches and throwing rocks at the university building where the gunmen were hiding.
Photographers for the Associated Press news agency saw at least four masked gunmen firing handguns at the crowd, as terrified students fled.
Globovision television, which is openly critical of the government, showed images of hooded men throwing objects into university classes and other people, apparently students, running away.
Civil defence chief Antonio Rivero said at least eight people were hurt, one of them by gunfire.
'Power grab''Power grab'
The amendments up for approval in a December referendum include giving the president control over the central back and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials. The government described the protest, one of several recent student-led demonstrations against the constitutional reforms, as an opposition effort to destabilise the country ahead of the referendum on 2 December.
The amendments up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials.
President Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, and cut the voting age from 18 to 16.President Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, and cut the voting age from 18 to 16.
Supporters say the changes will deepen Venezuela's democracy but critics accuse Mr Chavez of a power grab.Supporters say the changes will deepen Venezuela's democracy but critics accuse Mr Chavez of a power grab.
Last week troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of students protesting in Caracas against the proposed amendments.