A 17-year-old was hit by a truck and killed during a protest in Carupano , Venezuela , a government official said . Authorities are investigating the death of Jose Ernesto Mendez , elected official Cesar Rincones said Monday . For weeks , Venezuela has been mired by deadly protests . Young Venezuelans unhappy with the ravaged economy and rising crime have clashed with security forces , who have fired tear gas and water cannons . Last week , three anti-government protesters died in confrontations in Caracas . The country is grappling with an inflation rate of 56.2 % , the highest in the world . Many basic goods are missing from the shelves . Adding to the tension , authorities have issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopold Lopez on charges including conspiracy and murder in connection with the violence . And on Monday , the government said three U.S. diplomats have 48 hours to leave the South American country , accusing them of conspiring against its government . Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua accused the U.S. officials of using a visa program as a cover to meet with youth organizers at private universities `` for training , financing and creating youth organizations through which violence is promoted in Venezuela . '' The State Department fired back , calling that claim `` baseless and false '' and saying the United States had not yet received any formal notification of the officials ' expulsion .
17-year-old hit by a truck and killed during a protest . Last week , three anti-government protesters died in clashes in Caracas . Young Venezuelans unhappy with the ravaged economy and rising crime .