The peaceful demonstrations planned nationwide come after at least 13 people were killed in one day in the capital of Caracas.
Nine
of the victims were electrocuted as they tried to loot a bakery
Thursday during chaotic anti-government protests in Caracas, according
to the nation's minister for communication.
Three others were fatally shot and an additional death was reported in the city, but details were not immediately available.
Six
people also suffered gunshot wounds as several other businesses,
including two liquor stores, were looted and attacks were reported in
the city's metro system, he said.
The death toll from incidents related to the protests this month has jumped to at least 22 people.
Within
the first two weeks of April, six people were killed during
anti-government protests. Three others were killed Wednesday in a series
of protests described by opposition leaders as the "mother of all
Violent
clashes between supporters of the opposition and President Nicolas
Maduro have hit Venezuela this month. The opposition is asking Maduro
to step down, accusing him of eroding democracy.
On March 29, the Venezuelan Supreme Court dissolved the parliament
and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The court's decision
was eventually reversed, but protests against Maduro had already began.
Tensions
have risen as Maduro has called protesters "vandals and terrorists,"
and security forces used cannons and tear gas canisters.
The Human Rights Foundation released a statement condemning the killings.
"The
democratic world must stand firm in support of the young men and women
in Venezuela who are risking their lives for freedom and democracy by
rejecting Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship," said Thor Halvorssen,
president of the Human Rights Foundation.