Caracas, May 9 (IANS): A police officer was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the death of a 14-year-old boy during an anti-government protest, the Venezuelan Attorney General's office has said.

Javier Mora, 23, admitted his role in the February 24 death of Kluivert Roa in the western city of San Cristobal, Spanish news agency Efe reported citing a statement issued by the AG's office on Friday.

Roa died after being struck in the head by a rubber bullet while taking part in a protest against rampant crime and shortage of basic goods.

His death spurred calls from human rights groups and the political opposition for the Venezuelan government to take steps to guarantee the right to peaceful protest.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights formally urged authorities in Venezuela to "avoid the excessive use of force" against participants in demonstrations.

Prior to Roa's killing, the AG's office charged a dozen members of the security forces in connection with some of the 43 deaths that occurred in the first half of 2014 during a wave of anti-government protests.

Last year's protest-related fatalities included both supporters and opponents of the government, as well as bystanders.