Venezuela: Battles between police and gangs in Caracas leave 26 dead

Venezuelan officials say 22 suspected gang members and four police officers have died in two days of clashes in the capital Caracas.

Interior Minister Carmen Meléndez says an unspecified number of civilians were killed and nearly 40 people injured.

Hundreds of officers have been deployed to search for gang leaders, who have been seeking to expand their territory. One resident said it was “like a war”.

The police have seized weapons, including 24,000 rounds of ammunition.

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