Foreign ministers from the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) will send a commission to Venezuela to "build an environment for dialogue."

Violent right-wing protests have attempted to destabilised the elected Venezuelan government for the past month, leaving at least 25 dead according to the Nicolas Maduro administration, which welcomed Unasur's move.

Three more deaths were reported on Wednesday from the central Venezuelan city of Valencia.

National Guard Captain Ramzor Ernesto Bracho was shot dead while attempting to clear an opposition barricade blocking traffic, while 22-year-old Jesus Enrique Acosta and 42-year-old Guillermo Sanchez were killed by unidentified gunmen.

President Maduro told a rally he would "take drastic measures with all these sectors that are attacking and killing the Venezuelan people."

The opposition has so far rejected offers of dialogue until the government releases people imprisoned for the violence.

The growing instability prompted other Latin American countries to offer assistance as they met in Chilean capital Santiago for the inauguration of new President Michelle Bachelet.

Mr Maduro was unable to attend as he was "leading a battle in defence of democracy" at home, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said that the protesters were "trying to destabilise a government legitimately elected and we won't let that happen.

"I'm looking forward to a Unasur statement of unrestricted support for constitutional rule in Venezuela."

Other countries echoed his stance, with Argentina's Foreign Minister Hector Timerman saying: "Venezuela deserves all support from South American countries."