Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas last night for a candlelight rally against the government of President Nicolas Maduro after the death toll from unrest in the OPEC nation topped 40.

Following six weeks of anti-government protests that have seen citizens face off with heavily armed police, the candlelight protest was a sombre occasion to remember those killed and to pressure the government to call elections.

Opponents of Maduro blame heavy-handed tactics for the spate of killings in opposition protests throughout the country.

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