Clashes between Venezuelan security forces and demonstrators have killed five people during the latest opposition-led strike to protest an election on Sunday that critics contend will mark the end of democracy in the oil-rich country. As Venezuela's crisis deepened, Colombian airline Avianca yesterday canceled its operations in the country and the U.S. State Department said it is ordering family members of U.S. employees at its embassy in Caracas to leave ahead of the vote. The controversial Constituent Assembly election is scheduled on Sunday.<br/>Interior Minister Nestor Reverol warned that protests are banned from today till Tuesday, leaving open the likelihood of more violence in volatile Venezuela. Many Venezuelans are nervous and have been stocking up on food and staying home.<br/><br/>U.S. State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government employees at its embassy in Caracas.<br/><br/>President Donald Trump has warned that his administration could impose economic sanctions on Venezuela if Maduro goes ahead with the vote to create a legislative superbody known as the Constituent Assembly.<br/><br/>The Constituent Assembly would have power to rewrite the constitution and shut down the existing opposition-led legislature, which the opposition maintains would cement dictatorship in Venezuela.

Venezuela's political crisis looks headed for a dangerous showdown today, after the opposition called for a nationwide protest against President Nicolas Maduro in outright defiance of a government ban on demonstrations ahead of a controversial weekend vote. <br/><br/>The war of words escalated yesterday, the second day of a 48-hour general strike by Venezuelans angry over Maduro's plans for a Sunday vote to elect a new body to rewrite the constitution. Maduro countered by urging the opposition to abandon the road to insurrection. <br/><br/>He called for immediate dialogue — but signalled he is not backing down. Any talks, he said, should happen before the election and installation of the Constituent Assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution.<br/><br/>Earlier, he issued a decree warning anybody taking part in protests that could disturb or affect Sunday's vote risked five to 10 years in prison.<br/><br/>International concern has mounted, with the United States, European Union, United Nations and most heavyweight Latin American nations urging Maduro to back down from his plan. Some 70 per cent of Venezuelans oppose plans for the constituent assembly. The opposition, which controls the National Assembly, has urged civil disobedience against what it terms Maduro's dictatorship.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the United States is ordering relatives of American diplomats to leave the Venezuelan capital ahead of a polarizing vote. The State Department says, it is also allowing US government workers to depart the embassy in Caracas and<br/>limiting the movement of those who stay. <br/><br/>