Venezuela Protest Update: Riots Escalate - Government Seizes Control of Media

AA supporter of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez jumps over a burning barricade during a protest against Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas February 19, 2014. Tensions have risen in Venezuela since Lopez, a 42-year-old Harvard-educated economist, surrendered
 to troops on Tuesday after spearheading three weeks of often rowdy demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro's government. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlin

(Video) Violence escalated in Venezuela Wednesday, as protesters angered over economic and crime issues clashed with national police and government supporters. At the latest report, at least five lives have been lost in the unrest.

The most prominent victim is Genesis Carmona, a 22-year-old beauty queen and student demonstrator, who was shot dead in Valencia Wednesday. Carmona, who was named Miss Turismo 2013 for the state of Carabobo, was shot in the head by gunmen on motorbikes during a protest. A photo from the demonstration showed the beauty queen lying limp in the arms of a man driving to take her to a hospital on a ...Continue >>>