Venezuela protests

Riot police on motorbikes fired tear gas against opposition demonstrators and blocked their motorcade in the capital, Caracas, where a bus was also set on fire.

There were clashes in Valencia and other Venezuelan cities.

Nearly 40 people have been killed since the unrest began six weeks ago.

Mr Maduro has accused the leader of the opposition-led National Assembly, Julio Borges, of inciting violence by calling people onto the streets.

 On Friday, riot police clashed with elderly protesters at the so-called Grandparents March in Caracas.

Police blocked access to a main road in the capital and used pepper spray to try to control the crowd.

Protesters threw punches and demanded respect from police.

Venezuela is facing a shortage of many basic items, including medicines and medical equipment.

Many feel that elderly people have been particularly affected by the crisis in the health system.

"We can't stop until we achieve our freedom. I'm on the streets with you, in mind and spirit," he said, according to tweets from his wife Lilian Tintori.

Tintori relayed her husband's words after she visited him on Sunday at a prison outside Caracas

Lopez, a speaker and leader of the opposition, has been detained since 2014 after he was accused of terrorism and inciting deadly anti-government protests.

The women, dressed in white and led by opposition MPs, denounced what they consider repression by security forces.

The US has also expressed concern about what UN ambassador Nikki Haley called a "violent crackdown".

At least 36 people have died and hundreds have been injured in weeks of protests.

In a statement, Ms Haley accused Mr Maduro of "disregard for the fundamental rights of his own people", which she said had "heightened the political and economic crisis in the country".

Hecder Lugo, in his early 20s, died from a head wound. Officials said he had been shot.

Youths looted shops in several cities. In Caracas an armoured vehicle was filmed ploughing into protesters.

At least 36 people have died and hundreds have been injured in weeks of protests.

Demonstrators are angry over what they describe as Mr Maduro's plans to amass power in his own hands.

Anti-government protesters poured into the streets of this once bustling commercial and residential hub, their young faces obscured by tear-gas masks and bandanas. They hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at riot police who responded Wednesday to the almost daily demonstrations calling for embattled President Nicolas Maduro to step down.

Police in riot gear opened fire with what appeared to be tear gas. A Molotov cocktail sparked a fire atop an armored National Guard vehicle. It backed away from the crowd. Protesters surrounded two members of the security forces.

Maduro has called for a "Constituent National Assembly" -- a body that could make those changes. It also would allow for the reshaping of the current legislative body, as well as redefine the President's executive powers.

"We must modify this state, especially the rotten National Assembly that's currently there," Maduro said. The body is controlled by the opposition.

Maduro made his announcement while speaking to a large crowd of government supporters who had gathered for May Day celebrations.

The government made the announcement after the OAS voted to hold an meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the spiralling crisis in Venezuela.

Neighbours have expressed concern at mounting unrest in the country.

Violent protests against the government continued in the capital Caracas on Wednesday. One protester was killed.

He was hit by a tear gas canister during clashes with police.

Nearly 30 people have been killed since the wave of protests against President Nicolas Maduro began last month.

The violence raised the death toll to 23 in three weeks of protests.

Ombudsman Tarek Saab said several others were seriously injured and "between life and death".

The latest protests were sparked by the decision by the Supreme Court to take over the powers of the opposition-dominated National Assembly.

The court's reversal of the ruling was not enough to stop a wave of demonstrations.

On Monday a man was shot dead in a pro-government demonstration in the city of Merida and another man was killed in the nearby town of Barinas.

The apparent desertion comes amid weeks of violent protests against the administration of President Nicholas Maduro, with at least 22 people dead as a result of the turmoil..

The military desertions are believed to be the first since Maduro came to power in 2013 and could indicate weakening support for the embattled President within the armed forces, according to observers.