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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is transferring 152 missionaries out of Venezuela due to political unrest.

Missionaries who are not Venezuelan citizens will be moved to other missions in South America, the church announced Monday.

"Venezuelan missionaries are in frequent communication with their mission presidents, and every effort is being made to keep them safe," church officials wrote in a news statement.

More than two dozen people have been killed in February and March as protesters and government forces have clashed over crime and economic issues, according to wire reports.

Erin Alberty