Venezuela protests: Looting, shootings leave 13 dead in one day

After weeks of violent protests that left at least 22 people dead, Venezuelans took to the streets Saturday dressed in white to pay tribute to those who were killed in the latest anti-government demonstrations.

The peaceful demonstrations drew several hundred people, mostly singing or praying, as well as a large police presence.

A costumed demonstrator in Caracas, Venezuela, protests the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday, August 6. Unrest continued to sweep through the country after a new legislative assembly was inaugurated following a controversial election on July 30. The new assembly has wide-ranging powers and is expected to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution at Maduro's behest. Opposition supporters, who see the vote as a power grab and an erosion of democracy, boycotted and staged demonstrations against the vote.

Soldiers stop a vehicle and detain its passengers on the Paramacay military base in Valencia, Venezuela, on August 6. According to authorities, two people were killed when an anti-government paramilitary attack was quelled at the base.

Anti-government activists stand near a flaming barricade in Valencia on August 6.

A man is arrested in Valencia during clashes between anti-government activists and the National Guard on August 6.

Members of the Venezuelan armed forces fly over Valencia in a helicopter while citizens demonstrate in support of a group that staged a paramilitary uprising at the Paramacay military base on August 6.

Venezuela's Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, third from left, is surrounded by employees of the General Prosecutor's office as she is barred by security forces from entering her office in Caracas on Saturday, August 5.

Diosdado Cabello, a member of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, holds an image of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez as delegates gather for a group photo following their swearing-in ceremony on Friday, August 4.

Opposition activists protest against the newly inaugurated National Constituent Assembly on August 4.

A woman in Caracas attends a vigil Monday, July 31, for anti-government activists who have died in the country's recent unrest. More than 120 people have been killed in Venezuela since early April, according to the attorney general's office.

Opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens addresses a rally in Caracas on July 31. Two other leading opposition figures, Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma, were rounded up from their homes, according to their families.

Maduro celebrates the results of a national vote on Sunday, July 30. His opponents boycotted the election and demonstrated against it for weeks, saying he orchestrated it to get around the existing National Assembly, which the opposition has controlled since 2015. Maduro has argued that the Constituent Assembly will help bring peace to a polarized country, with all branches of the government falling under the political movement founded by his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Members of Venezuela's national police are caught in an explosion as they ride motorcycles near Altamira Square in Caracas on July 30. Venezuela has seen widespread unrest since March 29, when the Supreme Court dissolved Parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The decision was later reversed, but protests have continued across the country, which is also in the midst of an economic crisis.

A wounded anti-government demonstrator is helped by medics during clashes with police in Caracas on July 30.

A demonstrator shouts slogans through a traffic cone during an anti-government protest in Caracas on July 30.

A protester wounded by a pellet gun receives attention July 30 during a demonstration against the vote for a Constituent Assembly.

A member of the National Guard fires at protesters during clashes in Caracas on Friday, July 28.

A demonstrator dressed as Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar is silhouetted against a national flag in Caracas on Monday, July 24.

Venezuelan police Officer Oscar Perez joins in an anti-government protest in Caracas on Thursday, July 13. Perez allegedly piloted a stolen police helicopter used to attack the Venezuelan Supreme Court with grenades on June 27.

Venezuelan lawmakers Luis Stefanelli, left, and Jose Regnault appear stunned in a corridor of the National Assembly after a clash with demonstrators in Caracas on Wednesday, July 5. Supporters of Maduro stormed the building and attacked opposition lawmakers, witnesses said. At least seven legislative employees and five lawmakers were injured, according to National Assembly President Julio Borges. Journalists said they were also assaulted.

National Guard members clash with deputies of the National Assembly in the Parliament's courtyard in Caracas on Tuesday, June 27.

A boy runs under a national flag during a June 27 protest in Caracas.

Protesters tear down a fence at the La Carlota airbase outside Caracas on Friday, June 23. A soldier shot a demonstrator through the fence at the base on the previous day, killing him.

Protester David Jose Vallenilla is shot through a fence by a member of the National Guard near a military base in Caracas on Thursday, June 22. Vallenilla later died in the hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds to the chest.

Maduro holds up a copy of the Venezuelan constitution during a news conference at the presidential palace in Caracas on June 22. Maduro has called for changes to the constitution amid the unrest.

A protester hides behind a barrier in Caracas on June 22.

An opposition activist displays bullet shells during an anti-government demonstration on Monday, June 19.

People flee during a clash between opposition demonstrators and riot police in Caracas on June 19.

Opposition activists aim projectiles toward riot police during a demonstration on June 19.

Demonstrators stand in front of a police vehicle on June 19.

A street in eastern Caracas is painted with the names of people killed during more than two months of protests.

During a "Grandparents' March" in Caracas, a man is blocked by police from reaching the Government Ombudsman's Office on Friday, May 12.

Opposition activists scuffle with riot police in Caracas on May 12.

Thousands of Venezuelan protesters march on a Caracas highway on Wednesday, May 10.

Opposition activists clash with riot police in Caracas on Monday, May 8.

An armored National Guard vehicle runs over a protester in Caracas on Wednesday, May 3. The protester, 22-year-old Pedro Michell Yaminne, survived, his mother told CNN. Interior and justice minister Nestor Reverol told reporters that the "lamentable" incident was under investigation. He said that moments before Yaminne was run over, demonstrators hurled a Molotov cocktail at the armored vehicle, opened the side door and "brutally assaulted" the driver.

A demonstrator catches fire during protests in Caracas on May 3. It happened as protesters clashed with police and the gas tank of a police motorcycle exploded. Other photos from the scene showed the man being attended for burns to his body.

A demonstrator stands in front of an armored vehicle during protests in Caracas on Wednesday, April 19.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles reacts to tear gas during a protest on April 19.

Riot police clash with demonstrators while tear gas fills the air in Caracas on April 19.

Rescue workers tend to a demonstrator hit by a tear gas canister during anti-government protests on April 19.

A demonstrator reacts during a march in Caracas on Saturday, April 15.

A protester suffering from the effects of tear gas is carried away on Thursday, April 13.

Clouds of tear gas spread across a highway in Caracas during clashes on Monday, April 10.

Demonstrators help a journalist whose leg was injured while covering clashes in Caracas on April 10.

Thousands of demonstrators protest against Maduro in Caracas on Saturday, April 8.

Venezuelan police line up before clashing with opposition activists on Thursday, April 6.

Demonstrators fight with national police officers in Caracas on Tuesday, April 4.

Crisis in Venezuela

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They beganafter at least 13 people were killed in one day this week.

Nine were electrocuted as they tried to loot a bakery during chaotic anti-government protests Thursday night in Caracas, according to Venezuelan Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas.

Demonstrators clash with the riot police during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 20, 2017. Venezuelan riot police fired tear gas Thursday at groups of protesters seeking to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who have vowed new mass marches after a day of deadly unrest. Police in western Caracas broke up scores of opposition protesters trying to join a larger march, though there was no immediate repeat of Wednesday's violent clashes, which left three people dead. / AFP PHOTO / CARLOS BECERRA (Photo credit should read CARLOS BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Related article Venezuela: How paradise got lost

Three others were fatally shot, and an additional death was reported, but details were not immediately available.

Six people also suffered gunshot wounds as other businesses, including two liquor stores, were looted, and attacks were reported in the city’s metro system, Villegas said.

Rising toll

The death toll from incidents related to the protests this month has jumped to at least 22 people.

Demonstrators help a journalist who was injured in the leg during a protest in Caracas on April 10.

Related article Violence at parade highlights escalating Venezuela protests

Within the first two weeks of April, six people were killed during anti-government protests. Three others were killed Wednesday in a series of protests that opposition leaders described as the “mother of all marches.”

Clashes between supporters of the opposition and those of President Nicolas Maduro have flared this month in Venezuela. The opposition is asking Maduro to step down, accusing him of eroding democracy.

Venezuela: How paradise got lost

On March 29, the Venezuelan Supreme Court dissolved parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The court later reversed its decision, but protests had already begun.

Venezuelan opposition activists react to tear gas shot by the police during protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on April 6, 2017 in Caracas. The center-right opposition vowed fresh street protests - after earlier unrest left dozens of people injured - to increase pressure on Maduro, whom they blame for the country's economic crisis. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)

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Tensions have risen as Maduro called protesters “vandals and terrorists,” and security forces used cannons and tear gas canisters.

The Human Rights Foundation has condemned the deaths.

“The democratic world must stand firm in support of the young men and women in Venezuela who are risking their lives for freedom and democracy by rejecting Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship,” Thor Halvorssen, the foundation’s president, said in a statement.

CNN’s Florencia Trucco, Mariano Castillo, Natalie Gallón, Stefano Pozzebon, and Gisela Crespo contributed to this report.