Genesis Carmona, a 22-year-old former Venezuelan beauty queen and opposition supporter, died after being shot in the head during a political protest in the city of Valencia. The former Miss Tourism 2013 for the state of Carabobo was the fifth person to die amid Venezuela's ongoing political turmoil, and her death has reverberated in a country that celebrates beauty queens.

Genesis Carmona
Genesis Carmona, 22, was fatally shot in the head during a political protest. The young model, who was the country's 2013 Miss Turismo, was the fifth person to die amid Venezuela's ongoing political turmoil Twitter / Facebook
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Former beauty queen and opposition supporter Genesis Carmona is transported on a motorcycle after being shot in the head during a protest against Nicolas Maduro's government in Valencia, Venezuela Reuters

Carmona was photographed lying limp in an unidentified man's arms after gunfire broke out at Tuesday's protest in Valencia. She was rushed by motorcycle to Centro Medico Guerra Mendez in Valencia, where she was operated on and subsequently kept in intensive care - but her wounds proved to be fatal.

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez faces criminal charges for organising a rally that set off a deadly week of turmoil in the oil-rich, but economically struggling country.

A judge ruled early that there was enough evidence to hold Lopez, who dramatically surrendered to authorities before thousands of cheering supporters this week, on charges including arson and criminal incitement.

President Nicolas Maduro suggested in a national broadcast that Lopez would remain in custody and face criminal charges. "I said, 'Send him to jail,' and that's what happened and that's what will happen with all of the fascists," Maduro said in a speech that lasted more than two hours. "I won't allow him to challenge the people of Venezuela, the constitution."

There have been scores of arrests and injuries in the embattled country during protests against Maduro.

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Opposition demonstrators hold a Venezuelan flag in front of a burning barricade during a protest in Caracas Reuters
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Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez gets into a National Guard armoured vehicle in Caracas as he hands himself over to security forces Reuters
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Supporters of Leopoldo Lopez attend a rally before he handed himself over in Caracas Reuters
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A demonstrator jumps on shield wall formed by riot police during a protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters
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Riot police officers clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas Reuters
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A student takes part in a protest against Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters
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A supporters of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez uses a slingshot against police during a protest in Caracas Reuters
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A boy with his face painted in the colours of the Venezuelan flag takes part in a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in Monterrey Reuters
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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a national broadcast at Miraflores Palace in Caracas Reuters