Protests break out as Maduro declared winner of disputed Venezuela election

Venezuelans have taken to the streets after the electoral authority officially declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of an election that the opposition says was marred by fraud.

Protests have erupted across the country, with demonstrators even toppling a statue of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, in the state of Falcon.

In the Petare area — one of the poorest parts of the capital, Caracas — demonstrators shouted slogans against the president, and some masked young people tore down his campaign posters from lampposts.

Some protesters were also headed towards Miraflores, the presidential palace.

Police were deployed in large numbers across the city, and members of the National Guard were seen to be firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators. There were also reports of “colectivos” — pro-Maduro paramilitary groups — firing at protesters.