Venezuela holds controversial vote amid violence

Caracas

VENEZUELA'S government held a controversial vote on Sunday for a new, all-powerful "Constituent Assembly" to rewrite the constitution, as security forces violently broke up protest road blocks in the capital.

The election was taking place in an atmosphere of high tension, with the opposition calling for a boycott and mass demonstrations, and thousands of troops fanning out to confront any disruption.

In the western Caracas district of El Paraiso, security forces using armoured vehicles cleared awa…