Venezuela's envoy to the UN quit in protest against President Hugo Chavez's government last night, as anti-government demonstrations claimed another life.
The resignation of Ambassador Milos Alcalay was an embarrassment to the leftist leader as he faced a furious opposition campaign for a recall referendum against him that sparked violent street protests across Venezuela.
A woman was shot dead last night after soldiers cleared pro-referendum protesters blocking a highway in the western border town of Machiques. Opposition leaders blamed soldiers, but military officials said a civilian gunman opened fire with a pistol.
Mr Alcalay, a career diplomat who had previously backed Mr Chavez, said he objected to a ruling by electoral authorities against the vote bid and to a government crackdown against the protests in which seven people have been shot dead.
"We have a National Electoral Council which instead of providing a solution has put problems before every solution," Mr Alcalay said in New York.
He accused Mr Chavez's government of becoming undemocratic and repressive. "I don't feel I can be a spokesman for this situation".
Government officials dismissed his comments and said he was among a group of diplomats who had supported a short-lived coup against Mr Chavez in 2002, but who had kept their jobs.