Madonna accuses Venezuelan President of fascism

Pop singer Madonna accused the Venezuelan leader of human rights violations and also condemned authorities in Russia and Ukraine. She posted the comment with a picture of Maduro on image-sharing social network Instagram.

US pop icon Madonna hit out at Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Thursday, accusing his government of "fascism" over its handling of nationwide protests.In a post alongside a picture of Maduro on image-sharing social network Instagram, Madonna accused the Venezuelan leader of human rights violations, while also condemning authorities in Russia and Ukraine.

Venezuela-s-President-Nicolas-Maduro-speaks-during-a-meeting-with-members-of-the-community-at-the-23-de-Enero-neighbourhood-in-caracas-in-this-handout-photo-provided-by-Miraflores-Palace-Reuters

Madonna wrote, "Apparantly (sic) Maduro is not familiar with the phrase "Human Rights"! Facism (sic) is alive and thriving in Venezuela and Russia. The Ukraine isn't far behind!"

Venezuela has been gripped by weeks of protests that have left at least four people dead.

Demonstrators are angry over rampant street crime, runaway inflation, corruption and bleak job prospects in the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves.

Maduro, who took office after the death of

Hugo Chavez

last year, has claimed the protests are part of a conspiracy to overthrow his government.