Venezuela chief prosecutor denounces violence as deaths rise

Venezuela's General Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz speaks during a news conference at her office in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Four more people have died in protests against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, the government said Monday, bringing the total death toll in recent protests and unrest in the country to 26. (APPhoto/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

Fire-fighters put out a truck set on fire during anti-government protests in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 24, 2017. Thousands of protesters shut down the capital city's main highway to express their disgust with the socialist administration of President Nicolas Maduro. Protesters in least a dozen other cities also staged sit-ins as the protest movement is entering its fourth week. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

Venezuela's chief prosecutor is calling on Venezuelans on both sides of the political spectrum to refrain from violence as the number of deaths continues to rise.

Luisa Ortega Diaz announced Tuesday 26 people have been killed, more than 400 injured and nearly 1,300 detained in a wave of unrest generated after the Supreme Court stripped Congress of its last powers.

The decision was later reversed amid a storm of international criticism — and from Ortega Diaz herself.

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets over the last month to protest President Nicolas Maduro, who they blame for triple-digit inflation, food shortages and rising crime.

Ortega Diaz is vowing to hold all those responsible for the deaths accountable and says both sides should "lower the tone of confrontation."