One killed in Venezuela looting, food riots

A man has been shot dead during looting and food riots in crisis-hit Venezuela, an opposition lawmaker says, bringing to at least four the number of fatalities from this month’s wave of unrest.

Milagros Paz said that 27 others were injured during a day of chaos and violence in the eastern town of Cumana on Tuesday.

“It was all very confusing. There were simultaneous lootings in different parts of Cumana. They looted more than 100 establishments,” she said, basing her information on contacts with constituents.

There was no confirmation from President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

Videos and photos on social media showed crowds demanding food, with security forces struggling to keep order.

Three other people were shot dead in the past week. A policeman and a soldier have been arrested.

Food riots and violent looting have become a daily occurrence across scarcity-struck Venezuela.