Electrical service once again has been restored in parts of Caracas after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-15-dialysis-patients-die-in-venezuelas-blackout-ngo-202260">blackout that began last week</a> affecting more than half the country's states, according to reports from local residents.

Caracas Mayor Erika Farias told Venezuela's Telesur television that electric power has been "progressively" restored starting early Sunday after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blames-us-weapons-for-massive-blackout-202264">blackout last Thursday</a> - more than 72 hours ago - affected much of the country.

She said that there could still be "fluctuations" in electric power, as have been registered over the past 48 hours in some parts of Venezuela.

However, in the states of Zulia, Aragua, Carabobo, Tachira and at least 11 more of the country's 23 states, residents are still in the dark.

Last Thursday, after the blackout first hit, Electric Energy Minister Luis Motta Dominguez said publicly that the country's main hydroelectric facility - the Guri plant - had been "sabotaged."

In the areas still without electricity, local residents have been reporting on the social networks that their food has begun to spoil.

Venezuela on March 7 experienced a power interruption across most of the national territory starting about 5 pm, although since then there have been intermittent restorations - and subsequent losses - of electricity here and there.

"The National Electricity System has been the target of multiple cybernetic attacks that caused it to go down and have hindered attempts (to establish) ... reconnection. However, we're making great efforts to be able, in the coming hours, to restore stable and definite supply," President Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Miranda state Gov. Hector Rodriguez told the private Union Radio that workers at the state-run Corpoelec electric power company have been working to reestablish stable service.

Because of the blackout, the water supply has been affected, although potable water has been in scarce supply for years in Venezuela, while communications are still problematic across much of the national territory, including in Caracas.

Many businesses remain closed and the few that are open are requiring customers to pay in cash, which is in short supply in Venezuela.

Long lines have been reported at some gas stations given that the great majority are not functioning due to the lack of electricity for the pumps, and the state-run PDVSA oil company has called on the public to remain "calm," saying that "supply will continue at all stations."

Although this is the largest and longest power blackout Venezuela has experienced, the country has been having electricity interruptions lasting more than 24 hours for the past five years, especially in the western state of Zulia.

Electrical service once again has been restored in parts of Caracas after the blackout that began last week affecting more than half the country's states, according to reports from local residents.

Electrical service once again has been restored in parts of Caracas after the blackout that began last week affecting more than half the country's states, according to reports from local residents. Caracas Mayor Erika Farias told Venezuela's Telesur television that electric power has been "progressively" restored starting early Sunday after the blackout last Thursday - more than 72 hours ago - affected much of the country. She said that there could still be "fluctuations" in electric power, as have been registered over the past 48 hours in some parts of Venezuela. However, in the states of Zulia, Aragua, Carabobo, Tachira and at least 11 more of the country's 23 states, residents are still in the dark. Last Thursday, after the blackout first hit, Electric Energy Minister Luis Motta Dominguez said publicly that the country's main hydroelectric facility - the Guri plant - had been "sabotaged." In the areas still without electricity, local residents have been reporting on the social networks that their food has begun to spoil. Venezuela on March 7 experienced a power interruption across most of the national territory starting about 5 pm, although since then there have been intermittent restorations - and subsequent losses - of electricity here and there. "The National Electricity System has been the target of multiple cybernetic attacks that caused it to go down and have hindered attempts (to establish) ... reconnection. However, we're making great efforts to be able, in the coming hours, to restore stable and definite supply," President Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter. Meanwhile, Miranda state Gov. Hector Rodriguez told the private Union Radio that workers at the state-run Corpoelec electric power company have been working to reestablish stable service. Because of the blackout, the water supply has been affected, although potable water has been in scarce supply for years in Venezuela, while communications are still problematic across much of the national territory, including in Caracas. Many businesses remain closed and the few that are open are requiring customers to pay in cash, which is in short supply in Venezuela. Long lines have been reported at some gas stations given that the great majority are not functioning due to the lack of electricity for the pumps, and the state-run PDVSA oil company has called on the public to remain "calm," saying that "supply will continue at all stations." Although this is the largest and longest power blackout Venezuela has experienced, the country has been having electricity interruptions lasting more than 24 hours for the past five years, especially in the western state of Zulia.

Venezuela: Electricity restored in parts of Caracas after 3-day blackout

An American and his wife held nearly two years in a Venezuelan jail arrived home in the United States Saturday after their release in what Venezuela's leftist government said was a gesture aimed at fostering dialogue with Washington to avert US "aggressions."

"We're home," tweeted United States Senator Bob Corker, whose meeting in Caracas Friday with President Nicolas Maduro paved the way for the release of Joshua Holt and Thamara Caleno.

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who led a two-year effort to win the couple's freedom, posted a video of their airport reunion with Holt's parents in Washington.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump said Holt would be received with his family at the White House on Saturday evening.

Hatch praised the "pivotal efforts" of Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, to win Holt and Caleno's freedom.

"Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela," Trump tweeted. "The great people of Utah will be very happy!"

Maduro ordered the couple's release as a "gesture" aimed at promoting dialogue between Caracas and Washington, Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters in Caracas.

He said it was part of "efforts to maintain a respectful dialogue, diplomatic relations of respect, that permit gates to be opened to avoid the aggressions to which (Venezuela) has been subjected."

He apparently was referring to US sanctions, which Washington has tightened since Maduro was reelected earlier this month in elections that the US rejected as a "sham."

But Vice President Mike pence immediately squelched any suggestion that the sanctions -- which aim to deprive the cash-starved regime of revenue -- would be eased.

"Very glad that Josh Holt is now back home with his family – where he has always belonged. Sanctions continue until democracy returns to Venezuela," Pence said in a tweet.

Marriage, then arrest

Holt, a 26-year-old Mormon missionary from Utah, had traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry Thamara, whom he had met on the internet.

Shortly after they married, however, the couple was arrested by the Venezuelan intelligence service Sebin, and accused of possessing weapons and plotting to destabilize the Maduro government.

Top officials in the Socialist regime labeled Holt a US spy. In December, the Justice Ministry decided to bring the couple to trial, and rejected a petition for his conditional release.

Holt and his wife were being held at a prison in Caracas known as the Helicoide where the Sebin keeps political prisoners.

Earlier this month, he surfaced during a protest by opposition activists jailed in the massive hilltop structure, and appealed for US help in a video posted on Twitter.

"I'm calling on the people of America. I need your help to get me out of this place," Holt said in the video.

He also appeared in a photo taken of a group of prisoners inside the detention center.

A family statement issued by Holt's lawyer in Venezuela, Carlos Trujillo, expressed thanks for "your collaboration during this time of anguish we have been through."

The statement expressed gratitude "to everyone who participated in this miracle."

Sanctions bite

Holt's release comes as Maduro moves to ease tensions that have spiked since the May 20 elections, which were boycotted by most opposition parties and denounced as illegitimate by the US, EU, Canada and at least a dozen Latin American countries.&nbsp

The Trump administration tightened financial sanctions on cash-strapped Venezuela after the vote.

The Venezuelan president then retaliated by giving the two top US diplomats in the country 48 hours to leave, accusing them of conspiring against his government.

On Friday, however, human rights monitors reported the release of 20 activists who had been jailed in the western state of Zulia for protesting against the government.

In taking the oath of office on Thursday, Maduro acknowledged that the sanctions are biting.

"I can't deceive anybody, they are going to create grave difficulties, painful difficulties," he said.

"A profound rectification is needed, things have to be done anew and better. We are not doing things well and we have to change this country."

The Venezuelan economy is in shambles. Hyperinflation is expected to hit 13,000 percent this year and dire shortages of food that have driven hundreds of thousands of citizens to pour into neighboring Colombia and Brazil.

Maduro has blamed the US for his country's woes, but most economists point to years of destructive policies and corruption as well as a period of plunging oil prices.

Venezuela -- once one of Latin America's most prosperous countries -- has the world's largest oil reserves but oil production has fallen sharply in recent years as corruption, disinvestment and the loss of skilled workers take their toll.

An American and his wife held nearly two years in a Venezuelan jail arrived home in the United States Saturday after their release

An American and his wife held nearly two years in a Venezuelan jail arrived home in the United States Saturday after their release in what Venezuela's leftist government said was a gesture aimed at fostering dialogue with Washington to avert US "aggressions." "We're home," tweeted United States Senator Bob Corker, whose meeting in Caracas Friday with President Nicolas Maduro paved the way for the release of Joshua Holt and Thamara Caleno. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who led a two-year effort to win the couple's freedom, posted a video of their airport reunion with Holt's parents in Washington. US President Donald Trump said Holt would be received with his family at the White House on Saturday evening. Hatch praised the "pivotal efforts" of Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, to win Holt and Caleno's freedom. "Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela," Trump tweeted. "The great people of Utah will be very happy!" Maduro ordered the couple's release as a "gesture" aimed at promoting dialogue between Caracas and Washington, Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters in Caracas. He said it was part of "efforts to maintain a respectful dialogue, diplomatic relations of respect, that permit gates to be opened to avoid the aggressions to which (Venezuela) has been subjected." He apparently was referring to US sanctions, which Washington has tightened since Maduro was reelected earlier this month in elections that the US rejected as a "sham." But Vice President Mike pence immediately squelched any suggestion that the sanctions -- which aim to deprive the cash-starved regime of revenue -- would be eased. "Very glad that Josh Holt is now back home with his family – where he has always belonged. Sanctions continue until democracy returns to Venezuela," Pence said in a tweet. Marriage, then arrest Holt, a 26-year-old Mormon missionary from Utah, had traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry Thamara, whom he had met on the internet. Shortly after they married, however, the couple was arrested by the Venezuelan intelligence service Sebin, and accused of possessing weapons and plotting to destabilize the Maduro government. Top officials in the Socialist regime labeled Holt a US spy. In December, the Justice Ministry decided to bring the couple to trial, and rejected a petition for his conditional release. Holt and his wife were being held at a prison in Caracas known as the Helicoide where the Sebin keeps political prisoners. Earlier this month, he surfaced during a protest by opposition activists jailed in the massive hilltop structure, and appealed for US help in a video posted on Twitter. "I'm calling on the people of America. I need your help to get me out of this place," Holt said in the video. He also appeared in a photo taken of a group of prisoners inside the detention center. A family statement issued by Holt's lawyer in Venezuela, Carlos Trujillo, expressed thanks for "your collaboration during this time of anguish we have been through." The statement expressed gratitude "to everyone who participated in this miracle." Sanctions bite Holt's release comes as Maduro moves to ease tensions that have spiked since the May 20 elections, which were boycotted by most opposition parties and denounced as illegitimate by the US, EU, Canada and at least a dozen Latin American countries. The Trump administration tightened financial sanctions on cash-strapped Venezuela after the vote. The Venezuelan president then retaliated by giving the two top US diplomats in the country 48 hours to leave, accusing them of conspiring against his government. On Friday, however, human rights monitors reported the release of 20 activists who had been jailed in the western state of Zulia for protesting against the government. In taking the oath of office on Thursday, Maduro acknowledged that the sanctions are biting. "I can't deceive anybody, they are going to create grave difficulties, painful difficulties," he said. "A profound rectification is needed, things have to be done anew and better. We are not doing things well and we have to change this country." The Venezuelan economy is in shambles. Hyperinflation is expected to hit 13,000 percent this year and dire shortages of food that have driven hundreds of thousands of citizens to pour into neighboring Colombia and Brazil. Maduro has blamed the US for his country's woes, but most economists point to years of destructive policies and corruption as well as a period of plunging oil prices. Venezuela -- once one of Latin America's most prosperous countries -- has the world's largest oil reserves but oil production has fallen sharply in recent years as corruption, disinvestment and the loss of skilled workers take their toll.

American, wife freed from Venezuela jail arrive in US: Senator

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row.

At issue is Panama's alignment with other Latin American countries as well as the European Union, Canada and the United States that have taken measures against President Nicolas Maduro's and his government on the grounds that he is undemocratically tightening his hold on power.

"Panama's government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Miguel Mejia, and asks the Venezuelan government to withdraw its ambassador accredited to Panama, Jorge Duran Centeno," the Panamanian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The communique came hours after Venezuela's government news agency AVN announced sanctions on Panama's president and other officials, and on a number of Panamanian companies including its main airline Copa.

Venezuelan aviation authorities also announced that all Copa flights "to and from the country are suspended as of April 6, 2018 as a measure to protect the Venezuelan financial system."

The Venezuelan announcements followed a declaration by Panama this week that it had added President Nicolas Maduro to a list of individuals deemed a "high risk" in terms of money laundering.

Peru meanwhile told Maduro he is not welcome to attend a summit of leaders from across the Americas to be held in Lima next week.&nbsp

That gathering will include US President Donald Trump, who has branded Maduro a "dictator" and taken steps to reduce Venezuela's access to international credit.

Crisis gripping Venezuela

Venezuela is teetering on the brink of default despite sitting atop the biggest oil reserves in the world.&nbsp

Hyperinflation, scarcities of basic food and medicine, and skyrocketing violence are gripping the country, prompting a swelling exodus of its citizens that is increasingly concerning the United Nations.

According to AVN, the sanctions against the Panamanian individuals and companies will result in a suspension "for 90 days (of) economic and financial relations."

In terms of Copa, that could signal significant problems for Venezuela itself.

Panama is the nearest major airline hub to Venezuela, and Copa is the main airline used by passengers in and out of Caracas. Departures from the Venezuelan capital are often booked up weeks or months in advance.

A succession of international airlines have in the past couple of years ended their flights to Venezuela, including Delta, United, Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca.

The few left flying include Air France, Spain's Iberia, American Airlines and Swiftair from the US, Cubana and Turkish Airlines.

Humberto Figuera, head of the Airlines Association of Venezuela, old AFP ahead of the Copa suspension announcement that such a moved would be "really serious."

"Copa has 35 weekly flights. Venezuela would find itself more isolated, as Copa is an airline with the most connections to destinations on the American continent," he said.

Tit-for-tat sanctions

According to AVN, among the individuals singled out for the Venezuelan sanctions were Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, his vice president, Isabel de Saint Malo, and the minister for the presidency and the minister for the government.

The state news agency said Venezuelan prosecutors called for the sanctions were because of the alleged "recurrent use of the Panamanian financial system by Venezuelan nationals to move money and assets derived from crime against the nation's wealth."

It said such transactions were made possible by the "obscurity" of Panama's financial system.&nbsp

The ability for wealthy people to stash assets through Panamanian companies and law firms has been highlighted in the past couple of years through the "Panama Papers" and "Paradise Papers" scandals.

Under intense international pressure, Panama has recently made moves to bring improved transparency to its financial sector.

The Central American country has at the same time faced pressure from the United States and other Latin American nations to take measures against Maduro and his government.

On Tuesday, De Saint Malo, who is also Panama's foreign minister, announced that the Venezuelan president had been added to a national list of individuals seen as being a "high risk" for money laundering.

She said the move brought the country into line with the European Union, Canada and the United States, which also have hit Maduro and his officials with sanctions.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has called those lists "grotesque" and an assault on the South American country's sovereignty.

Other Venezuelan officials put on Panama's "high risk" list last week include the head of Maduro's Socialist Party, the chief justice of Venezuela's Supreme Court, the head of the electoral council, the chief national prosecutor, and the ministers for education and for culture.

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row

Panama on Thursday ordered Venezuela's ambassador out and recalled its own envoy to the country as Caracas imposed sanctions on senior Panamanian officials and suspended flights in an escalating diplomatic row. At issue is Panama's alignment with other Latin American countries as well as the European Union, Canada and the United States that have taken measures against President Nicolas Maduro's and his government on the grounds that he is undemocratically tightening his hold on power. "Panama's government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Miguel Mejia, and asks the Venezuelan government to withdraw its ambassador accredited to Panama, Jorge Duran Centeno," the Panamanian foreign ministry said in a statement. The communique came hours after Venezuela's government news agency AVN announced sanctions on Panama's president and other officials, and on a number of Panamanian companies including its main airline Copa. Venezuelan aviation authorities also announced that all Copa flights "to and from the country are suspended as of April 6, 2018 as a measure to protect the Venezuelan financial system." The Venezuelan announcements followed a declaration by Panama this week that it had added President Nicolas Maduro to a list of individuals deemed a "high risk" in terms of money laundering. Peru meanwhile told Maduro he is not welcome to attend a summit of leaders from across the Americas to be held in Lima next week. That gathering will include US President Donald Trump, who has branded Maduro a "dictator" and taken steps to reduce Venezuela's access to international credit. Crisis gripping Venezuela Venezuela is teetering on the brink of default despite sitting atop the biggest oil reserves in the world. Hyperinflation, scarcities of basic food and medicine, and skyrocketing violence are gripping the country, prompting a swelling exodus of its citizens that is increasingly concerning the United Nations. According to AVN, the sanctions against the Panamanian individuals and companies will result in a suspension "for 90 days (of) economic and financial relations." In terms of Copa, that could signal significant problems for Venezuela itself. Panama is the nearest major airline hub to Venezuela, and Copa is the main airline used by passengers in and out of Caracas. Departures from the Venezuelan capital are often booked up weeks or months in advance. A succession of international airlines have in the past couple of years ended their flights to Venezuela, including Delta, United, Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca. The few left flying include Air France, Spain's Iberia, American Airlines and Swiftair from the US, Cubana and Turkish Airlines. Humberto Figuera, head of the Airlines Association of Venezuela, old AFP ahead of the Copa suspension announcement that such a moved would be "really serious." "Copa has 35 weekly flights. Venezuela would find itself more isolated, as Copa is an airline with the most connections to destinations on the American continent," he said. Tit-for-tat sanctions According to AVN, among the individuals singled out for the Venezuelan sanctions were Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, his vice president, Isabel de Saint Malo, and the minister for the presidency and the minister for the government. The state news agency said Venezuelan prosecutors called for the sanctions were because of the alleged "recurrent use of the Panamanian financial system by Venezuelan nationals to move money and assets derived from crime against the nation's wealth." It said such transactions were made possible by the "obscurity" of Panama's financial system. The ability for wealthy people to stash assets through Panamanian companies and law firms has been highlighted in the past couple of years through the "Panama Papers" and "Paradise Papers" scandals. Under intense international pressure, Panama has recently made moves to bring improved transparency to its financial sector. The Central American country has at the same time faced pressure from the United States and other Latin American nations to take measures against Maduro and his government. On Tuesday, De Saint Malo, who is also Panama's foreign minister, announced that the Venezuelan president had been added to a national list of individuals seen as being a "high risk" for money laundering. She said the move brought the country into line with the European Union, Canada and the United States, which also have hit Maduro and his officials with sanctions. Venezuela's Supreme Court has called those lists "grotesque" and an assault on the South American country's sovereignty. Other Venezuelan officials put on Panama's "high risk" list last week include the head of Maduro's Socialist Party, the chief justice of Venezuela's Supreme Court, the head of the electoral council, the chief national prosecutor, and the ministers for education and for culture.

Panama orders Venezuela envoy out, Caracas suspends flights

A wave of bloodshed swept Venezuela Sunday as troops cracked down on violent protests against elections to choose the members of a powerful assembly that President Nicolas Maduro has tasked with writing a new constitution.

At least 10 people were killed as protesters attacked polling stations and barricaded streets around the country -- drawing a bloody response from security forces, who opened fire with live ammunition in some cases.

&quot;This is war!&quot; Caracas resident Conchita Ramirez exclaimed on television as she described troops firing at people and buildings in the capital.

The unrest confirmed fears over the vote for a new &quot;Constituent Assembly&quot; called by Maduro in defiance of months of demonstrations and fierce international criticism.

The socialist president is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member citizens&#39; body that will be empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and rewrite the constitution.

Nine people were killed overnight and into Sunday, according to prosecutors, bringing the death toll in four months of violence to some 120 people.&nbsp;

Among those killed was a 39-year-old lawyer in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar who was a candidate for the new assembly. He was shot by assailants in his home late Saturday. Prosecutors said the motive was unknown.

Shootings at protests on Sunday killed a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old in the western state of Tachira. A soldier was also shot dead there.

The death toll also included a 30-year-old regional leader of a youth opposition party in the northeast town of Cumana and two protesters in the western state of Merida.

In eastern Caraca, seven police were wounded when an improvised explosive targeted their motorcycle convoy.

National guard troops used armored vehicles, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads in the west of the city.

Soldiers also violently moved against protesters in the second city of Maracaibo, in the west, and Puerto Ordaz in the east.

The opposition had called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election, which it called a bid by Maduro to install a dictatorship.

&quot;This constituent assembly is being born in a bloodbath. It is born illegitimate,&quot; said Nicmer Evans, a prominent socialist turned Maduro critic, alleging widespread irregularities.

&nbsp;Maduro vote glitch

Maduro kicked off voting by casting his ballot in a west Caracas polling station.

&quot;I&#39;m the first voter in the country. I ask God for his blessings so the people can freely exercise their democratic right to vote,&quot; the president said. He was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, a candidate for the new assembly.

He got a technological snub when he scanned his ID card at the polling station and the screen spit out the words, &quot;This person does not exist or the ID was cancelled.&quot;

Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election.&nbsp;

But that will be difficult to ascertain as most voters will be able to vote twice: once by region and once by social or industrial sector.

Voting was extended by an hour, to 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), to accommodate what officials described as long lines, despite reports to the contrary.

According to polling firm Datanalisis, more than 70 percent of Venezuelans opposed the idea of the new assembly -- and 80 percent reject Maduro&#39;s leadership.

Maduro decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years.

But protesters flooded the streets in defiance.

&quot;The people are not going to give up the streets until this awful government goes,&quot; protester Carlos Zambrano, 54, told AFP in western Caracas.

&nbsp;&#39;A sham&#39;&nbsp;

Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond.&nbsp;

The US, the EU and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have condemned the election.

&quot;Maduro&#39;s sham election is another step toward dictatorship,&quot; tweeted US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Britain&#39;s junior foreign minister Alan Duncan also described the vote as a &quot;sham,&quot; as did many experts.

&quot;The vote means the end of any trace of democratic rule. Maduro&#39;s blatant power grab removes any ambiguity about whether Venezuela is a democracy,&quot; said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter-American Dialogue research center.

Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to Venezuela over security concerns.

The US has ordered the families of its diplomats to leave after imposing sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuela officials.

Maduro, whose term is meant to end in 2019, describes the election as the most important in Venezuelan history.

&quot;I have come to vote to tell the gringos and the opposition that we want peace, not war, and that we support Maduro,&quot; said voter Ana Contreras.

Regional rejection

Colombia, Panama and Peru -- refugees for tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the chaos at home -- have said they will not recognize the results of the election.

The US has suggested further sanctions could follow.

The vote was held to choose members of a powerful assembly that President Maduro has tasked with writing a new constitution

A wave of bloodshed swept Venezuela Sunday as troops cracked down on violent protests against elections to choose the members of a powerful assembly that President Nicolas Maduro has tasked with writing a new constitution. At least 10 people were killed as protesters attacked polling stations and barricaded streets around the country -- drawing a bloody response from security forces, who opened fire with live ammunition in some cases. "This is war!" Caracas resident Conchita Ramirez exclaimed on television as she described troops firing at people and buildings in the capital. The unrest confirmed fears over the vote for a new "Constituent Assembly" called by Maduro in defiance of months of demonstrations and fierce international criticism. The socialist president is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member citizens' body that will be empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and rewrite the constitution. Nine people were killed overnight and into Sunday, according to prosecutors, bringing the death toll in four months of violence to some 120 people. Among those killed was a 39-year-old lawyer in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar who was a candidate for the new assembly. He was shot by assailants in his home late Saturday. Prosecutors said the motive was unknown. Shootings at protests on Sunday killed a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old in the western state of Tachira. A soldier was also shot dead there. The death toll also included a 30-year-old regional leader of a youth opposition party in the northeast town of Cumana and two protesters in the western state of Merida. In eastern Caraca, seven police were wounded when an improvised explosive targeted their motorcycle convoy. National guard troops used armored vehicles, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads in the west of the city. Soldiers also violently moved against protesters in the second city of Maracaibo, in the west, and Puerto Ordaz in the east. The opposition had called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election, which it called a bid by Maduro to install a dictatorship. "This constituent assembly is being born in a bloodbath. It is born illegitimate," said Nicmer Evans, a prominent socialist turned Maduro critic, alleging widespread irregularities. Maduro vote glitch Maduro kicked off voting by casting his ballot in a west Caracas polling station. "I'm the first voter in the country. I ask God for his blessings so the people can freely exercise their democratic right to vote," the president said. He was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, a candidate for the new assembly. He got a technological snub when he scanned his ID card at the polling station and the screen spit out the words, "This person does not exist or the ID was cancelled." Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election. But that will be difficult to ascertain as most voters will be able to vote twice: once by region and once by social or industrial sector. Voting was extended by an hour, to 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), to accommodate what officials described as long lines, despite reports to the contrary. According to polling firm Datanalisis, more than 70 percent of Venezuelans opposed the idea of the new assembly -- and 80 percent reject Maduro's leadership. Maduro decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years. But protesters flooded the streets in defiance. "The people are not going to give up the streets until this awful government goes," protester Carlos Zambrano, 54, told AFP in western Caracas. 'A sham' Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond. The US, the EU and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have condemned the election. "Maduro's sham election is another step toward dictatorship," tweeted US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley. Britain's junior foreign minister Alan Duncan also described the vote as a "sham," as did many experts. "The vote means the end of any trace of democratic rule. Maduro's blatant power grab removes any ambiguity about whether Venezuela is a democracy," said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter-American Dialogue research center. Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to Venezuela over security concerns. The US has ordered the families of its diplomats to leave after imposing sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuela officials. Maduro, whose term is meant to end in 2019, describes the election as the most important in Venezuelan history. "I have come to vote to tell the gringos and the opposition that we want peace, not war, and that we support Maduro," said voter Ana Contreras. Regional rejection Colombia, Panama and Peru -- refugees for tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the chaos at home -- have said they will not recognize the results of the election. The US has suggested further sanctions could follow.

Wave of bloodshed sweeps Venezuela after vote

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