The Americas

Venezuela steps up military presence in town hit by looting

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A woman argues with the police during a protest for food at the Catia neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Tensions rose after customers waited in line for hours and their frustration turned into a street protest. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

A police officer talks to an angry crowd during a protest for food at the Catia neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Tensions rose after customers waited in line for hours and their frustration turned into a street protest. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

A man kisses his baby during a protest for food at the Catia neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Tensions rose after customers waited in line for hours and their frustration turned into a street protest. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

Venezuelan security forces are stepping up their presence in the coastal city of Cumana after more than 20 businesses were violently ransacked in another day of unrest across the crisis-wracked country.

Authorities on Wednesday said around 400 people were detained during protests a day earlier that witnesses said were sparked by food shortages.

Following the vandalism, the city's mayor suspended the use of motorcycles for 72 hours.

A wave of lootings and food riots in crisis-hit Venezuela has left at least three people dead in the last week. Around 10 looting incidents are occurring daily across Venezuela, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence.