The US Department of State Thursday issued a travel warning for Venezuela, urging US citizens to avoid the danger posed by ongoing demonstrations in Venezuela over non renewal of the broadcast license for private television station RCTV.

"Demonstrations, which began the weekend of May 27-28, continue" in cities around the country against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's decision not to renew Radio Caracas Television's broadcast license, the Department of State said.

"The government is organizing counter-demonstrations. Riot police are out in force (...) police in Caracas used tear gas, water cannons, and plastic pellets to disperse crowds ... There are reports of at least one fatality," it added.

US authorities advised US citizens to "consider the risks of travel to Venezuela," and urged those already in Venezuela "to exercise caution," AFP reported

"American citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent," the statement said.