Venezuela: protests spread to Chavez neighborhoods

At least 27 people died this week in the crackdown by security forces and Chavist paramilitaries against opposition demonstrations in Caracas that were concentrated in popular areas traditionally aligned with Chavismo.

"Between January 22nd and 25th of this year, we recorded 27 people killed, which is striking that the protests took place mainly in the western neighborhoods and neighborhoods of downtown Caracas. East, tradition of opposition, has been relatively calm, "said PERFIL Rafael Uzcátegui, general coordinator of the Human Rights Education Action Program in the United States. Venezuela (Provea).

Of the 27 victims, 25 men and 2 women were identified, aged 17 to 47 years.

In 78% of cases, victims participated in peaceful protests.

In all cases, the cause of death was shot when public and paramilitary forces acted to repress popular protests.
These figures bring to 242 the total deaths during demonstrations since Nicolás Maduro came to power in 2013.

For his part, Gonzalo Himiob, of the Venezuelan Criminal Forum, informed PERFIL that 369 detainees were registered during the demonstrations from 21 to 24 January, including several minors.

Dynamic Uzcátegui pointed out that "registered deaths occurred in popular areas, reflecting the changing dynamics of the conflict as of 22 January".

These sectors are protesting against "the deep economic crisis that forced the migration of relatives of people belonging to the most popular sectors", such as those who leave the country on foot, explained Uzcátegui.

For the human rights specialist, these demonstrations have shown "a wiping out of the political and ideological territorialization that has characterized Venezuela over the last 18 years.

This "territorialization" was "marked by the widespread dissatisfaction of the sectors that served as a social base for the Bolivarian political project and by the repressive escalation of dictatorship by the excessive use of force".

The repression, he added, was largely exercised by the "collectives", the paramilitary groups of Chavez, and by the Special Armed Forces (FAES), which the organizations of defense of the rights of the man describe as real "death squads".

"One of the most repeated slogans this week, which explains this situation of the popular sectors, was" I do not want any bonuses, I do not want to applause, what I want, it's a good thing. Nicolás goes away, "said Provea's general coordinator, referring to food distribution programs that the Maduro government is giving to popular sectors.

The keys

• Among the 27 victims, there were 25 men and 2 women, aged 17 to 47 years.
• The vast majority, 78%, participated in peaceful protests. All were killed by gunshot wounds used by the armed forces and paramilitaries.
• NGOs denounce the fact that in the crackdown there is a "real death squad" known as FAES (Special Armed Forces).
• According to specialists, the conflict "has ceased to be a clbad struggle or an ideological struggle" and reflects the weakening of popular support for Nicolás Maduro.