A nationwide strike against plans to rewrite the constitution shut down much of Venezuelan's capital before erupting into violence that left at least two young men dead.

A university student beauty queen was mourned yesterday in the provincial Venezuelan city where she was killed this week during a political protest.

Held at a military jail, opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez waited to learn if he will be charged for violence that has erupted during protests in Venezuela.

TWO people were killed in violent unrest in Venezuela after electoral officials said there were insufficient signatures to hold a referendum on recalling President Hugo Chavez, authorities said, as the sharply divided country awaited the opposition's next move.