Updated

Venezuelan police have repelled a group of protesters who made a run for the presidential palace in Caracas.

More than 100 people charged down the main thoroughfare in downtown Caracas Thursday chanting slogans critical of the ruling socialist party.

The county has seen a growing number of spontaneous protests in recent weeks as the economy tumbles. The opposition has staged several large rallies against the administration of President Nicolas Maduro. But all have been blocked from reaching the downtown area where government offices and the presidential palace are located.

Long lines of police in riot gear ran toward the march and turned them back with tear gas as people leaned out windows to cheer the protesters on.