DHAKA: At least nine people have died in Venezuela in the wave of protests against the leftist government of president Nicolas Maduro.

Officials said on Friday, The Straits Times publishes this report on Saturday.

At least 137 people have also been injured and 104 have been detained in the two weeks of protests, Attorney General Luisa Ortega said on a radio show.

The latest victim was a 29 year-old male who tried to cross a street blockaded by protesters on a motorcycle at nighttime, Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said on state VTV network.

In the darkness the rider did not see a cable that the protesters had strung up. He tripped, fell and slit his throat, Rodriguez said.

BDST: 1351 HRS, FEB 22, 2014