CIVIL WAR VENEZUELA: Anti-Socialists Protesters Fight Back Police with Homemade Explosives and Fireworks

Deadly clashes between protesters and police marred voting on Sunday, as Venezuelans cast ballots on a controversial measure that could mark a turning point for their country.



The election will allow President Nicolás Maduro to replace Venezuela's current legislative body -- the National Assembly -- with a new institution called the Constituent Assembly that will have the power to rewrite the constitution.


The voting follows weeks of violent street protests in which many people have been killed or injured. On Sunday the death toll rose sharply with at least six people -- including two teenagers -- killed at protests and a National Guard officer also reported dead by the Attorney General's Office.


The death toll from the unrest ongoing since early April is 125, according to a statement from the Venezuelan attorney general's office. That number does not include at least two of Sunday's deaths, in which the reasons for the killings are under investigation.


Polls were set to close at 7 p.m. ET, after officials extended voting by one hour.


Maduro, in a 2½ minute message posted to Twitter, called the vote a historic moment.


"This has been and is a successful day with great participation," he said. "... Today is a day of victory."


International reaction was harsh, with many nations, including the United States, condemning the election.