The beauty queen who took a bullet for her country

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Beauty queen Genesis Carmona killed by gunmen in violent anti-government protests in Venezuela

The 22-year-old was shot in the head by armed men on motorbikes during a demonstration in Valencia



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A young beauty queen yesterday became the fifth person to die in violent anti-government protests that have rocked Venezuela.

Genesis Carmona, 22, was shot in the head when gunmen on motorbikes fired on protesters during a demonstration in Valencia, in the north of the South American country.

The model, who was Miss Turismo 2013 for the state of Carabobo, was taken by motorcycle to hospital where surgeons battled in vain to save her life.

A relative of Genesis, who asked not to be named, said: "How long are we going to live like this?

"How long do we have to tolerate this pressure, with them killing us?"

Genesis had been studying tourism at university and her relative added: "She only needed one more semester to graduate."

Her death came on the day anti-socialist protests claimed a sixth victim in a week of violence that has swept the oil-rich country.

Venezuelan TV said a woman who had suffered a heart attack died after an ambulance taking her to hospital was blocked by opposition protesters in the capital Caracas yesterday.

The country has spent a week in the grip of violent protests against the socialist government established by ex-President Hugo Chavez 15 years ago.

Three people have been shot dead in the capital Caracas and another person was run over by a car during clashes in the coastal town of Carupano.

On Tuesday, President Nicolas Maduro threw opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez in jail, accusing him of stirring up the violent clashes.

Lopez was due to appear in court yesterday to learn if he will face charges for provoking violence against the government.

He has urged his supporters to keep fighting for the departure of Maduro's socialist administration.

In a nation split largely down the middle on political lines, 'Chavistas' have stayed loyal to Maduro despite unflattering comparisons with his famously charismatic predecessor.

Many Venezuelans fear the loss of popular, oil-funded welfare programs should the socialists lose power.



Gunned down: Genesis Carmona is rushed to hospital