Sean Penn to hold acting workshops in Venezuela

Oscar winner Sean Penn is heading to Venezuela to offer government-sponsored acting classes to aspiring thespians.

The Milk star, who had a close friendship with the nation's controversial late president Hugo Chavez, marked the one-year anniversary of his politician pal's death earlier this month (Mar14) by meeting with his successor, President Nicolas Maduro, to discuss plans to host an acting workshop for students through the Foundation La Villa Del Cine in Caracas.

Making the announcement, Maduro said, "With Sean we have spoken about opening up a film acting shop in Villa del Cine.

"The young will receive the breadth of experience of Sean... We all admire and love Sean profoundly."

Dates for the classes have yet to be revealed, but Penn's support of the Maduro government comes as authorities continue to battle with protesters fighting for political change. At least 28 people have died and hundreds of others have been injured in violent clashes in the past two months.