VENEZUELA’S government has confirmed rumours of talks with a jailed opposition leader to end riots that claimed two more lives in Caracas on Wednesday.

The deaths of 17-year-old militant Neomar “Neon” Lander and National Guard Sergeant William Jose Mendoza in the capital brought the death toll to 83, according a tally by regional news network Telesur.

The right-wing opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (Mud) coalition claimed that Mr Lander was a peaceful protester who was hit by a police tear-gas canister.