Two students have been killed as peaceful anti-government protests in Venezuela turned violent and demonstrators clashed with police.
Around 10,000 protesters took to the streets on Wednesday to march against the policies of President Nicolas Maduro. Although the majority of demonstrators were peaceful, a group marched to the federal prosecutor's office to demand the release of 13 protesters who were previously detained, the BBC reports.
Two died after gunmen on motorbikes opened fire on the crowd, while a third person was shot dead in later protests.
"We want solutions to problems, not endless confrontation and violence," student Manuel Armas, 19, told Reuters.
Maduro has since called for protest leader Leopoldo Lopez to hand himself in, accusing him of sowing violence in an attempt to stage a coup.
Venezuelan protests
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Students demonstrate in protest for Bassil DaCosta, a student killed on the eve during a demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate in protest for Bassil DaCosta, a student killed on the eve during a demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate in protest for Bassil DaCosta, a student killed on the eve during a demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate in protest for Bassil DaCosta, a student killed on the eve during a demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students lie on the ground in protest for the student killed during the demonstration on the eve against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students hold a Venezuelan national flag as they protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro aklong a main highway in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A student with a tape that reads 'Freedom' across her mouth takes part in a protest for the student killed during the demonstration on the eve against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate against the death of a student who was killed on the eve during a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-VIOLENCE-PROTEST(09 of34)
A student with a tape that reads 'Peace' across her mouth takes part in a protest for the student killed during the demonstration on the eve against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. AFP PHOTO/LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students block a main highway as they protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along a main highway in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/Leo RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate against the death of a student who was killed on the eve during a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-POLITICS-DEMO(13 of34)
Students demonstrate against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along a main highway in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/Leo RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along a main highway in Caracas on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/Leo RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students demonstrate against the death of a student who was killed on the eve during a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-POLITICS-DEMO(16 of34)
Students sit on the street as a protest against the death of a student who was killed on the eve during a demonstration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on February 13, 2014. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students sit on the street as a protest against the death of a student who was killed on the eve during a demonstration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on February 13, 2014. The sign reads 'I am tired of living with fear'. Venezuela's government on Thursday called for its supporters to rally against what it called fascism, a day after three people died and dozens were injured in violence at anti-government protests. Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. The protests ended with three people shot to death -- a pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protesters. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Riot policemen protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the CICPC (Scientific Police) detain a student during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Riot policemen protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-DEMO-VIOLENCE(21 of34)
Members of the CICPC (Scientific Police) detain a student during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A student throws a stone during a demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-DEMO-VIOLENCE(23 of34)
Members of the CICPC (Scientific Police) detain a student during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Students clash with National Guards members during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Riot policemen protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A protestor throws a stone during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A National Guard member shoots tear gas during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-DEMO-VIOLENCE(28 of34)
A student throws a stone during a demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-DEMO(29 of34)
Riot police protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-DEMO(30 of34)
Riot policemen protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People run in front of burnt CICPC (Scientific Police) cars during an opposition demontration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-DEMO(32 of34)
Riot policemen protect themselves during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-DEMO(33 of34)
Demonstrators throw stones to riot policemen during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-DEMO(34 of34)
People help an injured man during an opposition demo against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on February 12, 2014. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters, leaving at least two people wounded and a pro-government man dead. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told a Colombian TV channel that the two students had been killed "for raising their voices" against the government, Sky reports.
The protests have been blamed on the government's strict currency and price controls for shortages, which range from toilet paper and newspapers to rice and meat, and the lack of security - the country has one of the highest murder rates in the world.