CARACAS, Venezuela -- A 33 year-old political science student has been killed while protesting in the restive western region of Venezuela.

Officials in the industrial city of Maracaibo say that Roberto Annese was killed near a barricade. The details of his death remain unclear.

Opponents of the socialist administration have been erecting obstacles in streets around the country for seven weeks. More than 30 people have died as protesters have clashed with police and pro-government militias.