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[Leopold]

CARACAS, Venezuela — At least two people were killed Wednesday as the largest protests ever against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s year-old government turned violent.

Gunfire erupted in downtown Caracas when armed members of a pro-government vigilante group arrived on motorcycles and began firing at more than 100 anti-Maduro student protesters clashing with security forces.As the crowd fled in panic, one demonstrator fell to the ground with a bullet wound in his head. Onlookers screamed “assassins” as they rushed the 24-year-old student, later identified by family members as Bazil D’Acosta, to a police vehicle.

Also killed was the leader of a pro-government 23rd of January collective, as militant supporters of Venezuela’s socialist administration call themselves. National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello said the “revolutionary” known by his nickname Juancho was “vilely assassinated by the fascists” but he didn’t provide details.

The unrest erupted after a day of peaceful demonstrations organized by students and hard-line members of the opposition.

Pro-government supporters countered with a march of their own to express support for Maduro, who has accused opponents of trying to violently oust him from power just two months after his party’s candidates prevailed by a landslide in mayoral elections.

While anti-government demonstrators vented frustration over issues ranging from rampant crime to mounting economic hardships, they were united in their resolve to force Maduro out of office by constitutional means.

“All of these problems — shortages, inflation, insecurity, the lack of opportunities — have a single culprit: the government,” Leopoldo Lopez, a Harvard University-trained former mayor, told a crowd of about 10,000 people gathered at Plaza Venezuela in Caracas.

Lopez, who leads a faction of the opposition that has challenged what it considers the meek leadership of two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, called the protests “a moral and patriotic duty.”

“If we don’t do it now, then when? And if it’s not us, who will?” he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a98e28-93f7-11e3-9e13-770265cf4962_story.html

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/at-least-two-killed-by-gunfire-at-venezuela-protests

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/ne...o-protestors-shot-by-venezuelan-armed-forces/

Edit: BBC reporting "at least two deaths" at the protests: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26166094

Website about the casualties [warning - graphic content]: http://www.maduradas.com/murieron-l...s-que-nos-deja-la-protesta-de-este-12f-fotos/

 

[Ahasverus]

Get that awful dumb man, you go, venezuela.

 

[shadyspace]

So they protestors are fighting against "right wing fascists"? Wasn't Chavez's government socialist? What exactly are the protestors fighting against?

 

[Leopold]

So they protestors are fighting against "right wing fascists"? Wasn't Chavez's government socialist? What exactly are the protestors fighting against?

Got a better source for the OP.

 

[joseph1594]

So they protestors are fighting against "right wing fascists"? Wasn't Chavez's government socialist? What exactly are the protestors fighting against?

I think the government is referring to the protestors as the "right wing fascists". Sounds like it still is murky to who exactly died so far. Venezuela is pretty sharply divided between those that support Chavez's legacy and those vehemently opposed to the current governments continued socialist policies Anyways, stay safe Venezeula-Gaf. From what I understand both sides aren't exactly afraid to get blood on their hands and the country is pretty polarized. While it isn't like there probably be a civil war or anything, but these situations still can get bloody and violent.

 

[sphagnum]

So they protestors are fighting against "right wing fascists"? Wasn't Chavez's government socialist? What exactly are the protestors fighting against?

The quoted person (Cabello) is saying that a leftist, who was on the pro-government side, was killed by the right wing protestors.

Why was the article in the OP changed anyway? edit: woops nevermind

 

[Leopold]

The quoted person (Cabello) is saying that a leftist, who was on the pro-government side, was killed by the right wing protestors.

Why was the article in the OP changed anyway?

It was just a bad article, from a malaysian newspaper. This one is better IMHO.

 

[JDSN]

Shame that it will take more than a bunch of protests to get this dictatorship out of power, it doesnt help that the rest of Latin america is pretending to be blind as long as they keep getting their money and oil drums.

 

[Leopold]

Shame that it will take more than a bunch of protests to get this dictatorship out of power, it doesnt help that the rest of Latin america is pretending to be blind as long as they keep getting their money and oil drums.

Hoping for a brazilian govt announcement tomorrow morning, but with low expectations.

 

[zero shift]

Shame that it will take more than a bunch of protests to get this dictatorship out of power, it doesnt help that the rest of Latin america is pretending to be blind as long as they keep getting their money and oil drums.

Dictatorship? What kind of dictatorship winds 2% of the popular vote? The reality is that Venezuela is sharply divided and the pro-PSUV supporters outnumber those that are anti-government. Though the anti-government group is growing and the PSUV likely won't be in power for much longer.

 

[Ahasverus]

Dictatorship?

Come on, surely they will talk about how it is a "democracy" but I as living in a neighbor country know very well how rigged their democracy is, they thratened state workers and their families to vote for this monkey (with video tapes and everything) and the difference was 2%, the congess actually BEATED UP a woman from the oppisition and it went into impunity because the dictatorship has their hands in every state institution and the police are as criminal as the mafie with hundreds of murders unsolved.

 

[zero shift]

Come on, surely they will talk about how it is a "democracy" but I as living in a neighbor country know very well how rigged their democracy is, they thratened state workers and their families to vote for this monkey (with video tapes and everything) and the difference was 2%, the congess actually BEATED UP a woman from the oppisition and it went into impunity because the dictatorship has their hands in every state institution and the police are as criminal as the mafie with hundreds of murders unsolved.

The attack of the state workers thing was pretty much during the time of the coop. It really isn't anywhere as wide spread as things are made out to be and quite literally every time I ask for people to cite who was threatened its always a friend of a friend thing. I've talked with plenty of people who work government jobs and they all say that its something that is often claimed but you can never find the person who was blatantly intimidated (its always "one of my friends friends type of ordeal". In terms of the PSUV being dirty, both sides are very shitty and throw tantrums, its just the fact that the PSUV is in power. Despite being far away from the country I have talked to many people who live there (mostly anti-government) and even they admit that there is a lot of hyperbole about the PSUV. The police being criminals is really just Latin America being Latin America.

I'm not defending the PSUV in anyway, but lets not pretend that they are South America's United Russia. The reality is that half of Venezuelan's support a corrupt egotistical party with laughable economics while the other half is desperate for anyone else which is a corrupt incompetent party.

Yes, the great dictatorship of Maduro, where half the population are allowed to be openly hostile to the dear leader.

There's a difference between strongmen and dictators.

Not to mention that the president previous to Chavez was a million times worse than him with that regard. Its crazy. I think GAF is probably the most anti-Venezuela forum I've seen. The other Venezuelans I see on other sites (while are anti-Chavez) aren't as far down the spectrum.

 

[sphagnum]

Yes, the great dictatorship of Maduro, where half the population are allowed to be openly hostile to the dear leader.

There's a difference between strongmen and dictators.

 

[Ether_Snake]

“All of these problems — shortages, inflation, insecurity, the lack of opportunities — have a single culprit: the government,” Leopoldo Lopez, a Harvard University-trained former mayor, told a crowd of about 10,000 people gathered at Plaza Venezuela in Caracas.

Ok, poor versus rich, got it.

 

[zero shift]

Ok, poor versus rich, got it.

Its not really class warfare when the poor are suffering as well. Inflation rates are out of country and are amongst the highest in the world with wages not being tied to them. There are food shortages of the most common foods such as chicken, eggs, and milk. There are actually shortages for pretty much anything people buy a lot due to price controls and thus people are forced to buy things on the black market. What's the point of receiving higher minimum wages and welfare if its worth less due to inflation and skyrocketing prices of food and toilet paper? All this is happening while the country is sitting on the most plentiful oil reserves in the world. This isn't rich vs poor, but people who want to get a hold of their countyr again. Chavez's administration has always been a grey cloud with some white (better social programs, housing for the poor, education) and black (crackdown on the media, under-performing nationalized industries, waste of natural resources, crime rate out of control, etc.). Today things are so bad that it is now nothing more but a dark cloud with a silver lining, and that lining is starting to fade. If there is one country in South America that deserves a mass protest of millions, it's Venezuela.

 

[Leopold]

Update: four dead according to Al Jazeera. Some brazilian websites are reporting that all roads leading to Caracas have been blocked by govt forces.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/ameri...t-rally-turns-deadly-2014212195829466475.html

 

[Elchele]

I think they have been in charge of the country far too long, this Maduro period obviously was really unnecessary. They lost the plot long ago
It is always good to change government in a regular basis to avoid complacency and major stupidity.

Obviously the bad aspects of their government are always over dimensioned by the international media, compared with what they do with fascist corrupt right wing governments in the rest of the region.

 

[RionaaM]

Shame that it will take more than a bunch of protests to get this dictatorship out of power, it doesnt help that the rest of Latin america is pretending to be blind as long as they keep getting their money and oil drums.

You shouldn't be surprised about the Argentinian government supporting that authoritarian regime. We've been going the same route for the past 10 years, and I don't believe things will get better here.

 

[ShutEye]

Venezuela is such a sad story at the moment. Violence unfortunately appears to be an obvious next step once basic supplies become difficult to acquire. Also an example of the how extreme inequality can lead to a cycle of rot and corrupt populism, only to end up in a worse place.

 

[The Omega Man]

Ok, poor versus rich, got it.

This retort would work if around 50% of Venezuela's population was rich (49%?) because that's the number the voted against the current government last elections, and if after the almost 15 years that the current government has been in power things would be better than ever for poor people, but that's hardly the case, everything is worse than ever, long lines to get food ala Cuba, highest delinquency rate and impunity ever, economic almost broke only sustained by oil everything else is broke, international companies leaving the country, Airliners leaving the country because the government owes them millions of dollars, draconian currency control, etc etc etc.
Yesterday the government shut down a network because it was covering the opposition's riots, just like that, they flipped a switch and the network was no more, no other tv station dared to cover the event for fear of being shut down, if that's not fascism I don't know what it is then.
I am up for changes but this goins had 15 years to prove themselves and while driving the country to to its lowest state they keep blaming opposition and imperialistic countries for everything that goes wrong, bunch of inept power hungry goons that used the "guys I am poor too so I understand you better" card to fool the masses.

 

[BAW]

I love Venezuela so much but the country desperately needs a person who understands basic economic principles. I can only pray that such a person appears soon and is not labeled a fascist.

 

[Kapsama]

Its not really class warfare when the poor are suffering as well. Inflation rates are out of country and are amongst the highest in the world with wages not being tied to them. There are food shortages of the most common foods such as chicken, eggs, and milk. There are actually shortages for pretty much anything people buy a lot due to price controls and thus people are forced to buy things on the black market. What's the point of receiving higher minimum wages and welfare if its worth less due to inflation and skyrocketing prices of food and toilet paper? All this is happening while the country is sitting on the most plentiful oil reserves in the world. This isn't rich vs poor, but people who want to get a hold of their countyr again. Chavez's administration has always been a grey cloud with some white (better social programs, housing for the poor, education) and black (crackdown on the media, under-performing nationalized industries, waste of natural resources, crime rate out of control, etc.). Today things are so bad that it is now nothing more but a dark cloud with a silver lining, and that lining is starting to fade. If there is one country in South America that deserves a mass protest of millions, it's Venezuela.

were the poor doing better before Chavez? honest question.

 

[chepu]

were the poor doing better before Chavez? honest question.

There has been some people that was actually better with Chavez Government, but that was back then. Now it sucks for everybody.

Food and basic products such as toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, etc. have become sparse due to low production and black market export to colombia due to high inflation making the Colombian Peso way stronger.

Yesterday I was trapped at office till 8pm, there was a riot two blocks from where I work and they (students) were Burning tires.

up until now there are 2 deaths confirmed and around 8 people missing.

theres no news about it on the radio, nor on the newspaper and the NTN24 Channel was removed yesterday from the cable service because the governement "Requested" it.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Is it just me, or does this not seem to be getting as much attention as the Ukraine stuff?

 

[clemenx]

Is it just me, or does this not seem to be getting as much attention as the Ukraine stuff?

Because it's not nearly as big as the Ukraine stuff.

"Opossition" here are a bunch of cowardly idiots who are saying we should stop protesting "to avoid more deaths" Imagine if someone on the Arab Spring had said that??

Fuck that. Most of the youth will remain in the street.

 

[zero shift]

were the poor doing better before Chavez? honest question.

No not at all. Poverty and access to education was much worse prior to Chavez. It's pretty much the crowned jewel of his legacy. Even the most anti-Chavismo people will admit reluctantly that the poor are better off now. There is a reason why Chavez got into power, it was because the last guy before him was significantly worse. The previous regime enacted terrible austerity programs which resulted in millions of people falling into extreme poverty. He also pretty much flatout stopped people from protesting almost. You think this protest is bad, you haven't seen shit. The cops would just attack protesters outright. This climate is what led to Chavez getting elected in the first place. Things were much better with the first half of the PSUV years in Venezuela essentially because of the increase in oil prices the world say after 2000. However once the oil rapidly decreased in value in 2008 many nations around the world struggled with this. Either they were prepared and it didn't effect them that much (Ecuador) or they wouldn't and they fell (Libya). Venezuela essentially landed right in between this spectrum but has since been sliding down toward Libya. Inflation is crazy, food and common items are scarce, crime is still crazy high, and the tension in the country is so strong you can cut it with a knife. So while I would still say the poor are better off today, it isn't really something to sing about since if Maduro and friends could get their shit together they could be doing much better.

As a Venezuelan on here said. The regime needed change, but 15 years is a long time. You can focus on the silver lining such as the poor being much more active in politics, poverty being significantly down, the country not being as dependable on the US, and education being more accessible. However this doesn't really outshine the bad with their authoritarian tendencies on the media, inflation being out of control (was always a problem for the country but come on its been 15 years!), food and item shortage, Mad Max-like crime rates, and taking the most corrupt country in Latin America to a whole different level. The regime needed change but they went from a highly corrupt regime with authoritarian tendencies heavily influenced by the United States to an incredibly corrupt regime with authoritarian tendencies while practicing wacky economics and occasionally throwing a dime to the poor while screwing up the economy. Personally I hope the country takes a different route soon. I hope the people can meet in the middle and go with the Norwegian model of state owned industries in schooling, resource, and energy while maintaining a healthy private market. If "socialism" is still being screamed then they should further focus on developing the cooperatives.

 

[Mesousa]

Ok, poor versus rich, got it.

Yeah that has western backed written all over it.

Maduro needs to go, but putting the nations in the hands of a bunch of Ivy-League trained old European elite really isnt what Venezuela needs at this point in time.

 

[clemenx]

Wow. Twitter has been effectively blocked here. Well their images all can't be seen here which render their web useless.

I thought they'd be more subtle in going to full blown dictatorship.

VPN's and such are getting very popular in Venezuela.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/twitter-photos-blocked-in-venezuela-users-say

 

[Fyrion]

Is it just me, or does this not seem to be getting as much attention as the Ukraine stuff?

In Ukraine the Armed Forces are using firearms against protesters? Or letting paramilitary groups shoot students?

Dictatorship? What kind of dictatorship winds 2% of the popular vote?

Another who believes in CNE results.

By the way, Maduro's government is a De-facto regime, according to our constitution the current republic's vice president couldn't participate in those elections (Article 229). What a blatant and shameless constitucional state coup. There are several other reasons but this one is enough to prove Maduro's illegality. Yet our complicit oposition decided to ignore this and sold us again in elections under unfair conditions.

No not at all. Poverty and access to education was much worse prior to Chavez

Seriously?

Yeah, right. Subjecting the poor people under an eternal dependence to an oversized and money-hungry welfare's state helped them very much to overcome their poverty condition. To make sure of his "success" in helping the poor, he destroyed the productive industry (and therefore money source to feed the welfare state) except PDVSA (Oil industry).
We are living right now the consequences: food and several goods shortage, unreliable National Electrical Power Grid, Skycraper's level inflation, high debt.

You can focus on the silver lining such as the poor being much more active in politics, poverty being significantly down, the country not being as dependable on the US, and education being more accessible.

The country depends heavily in Oil's income. We are importing almost everything to cover the country's demand. That's sovereignty?

So while I would still say the poor are better off today

Yay! African inflation, Food shortage and unaffordable goods are clear signals of more- wealthy-than-before poor people.

were the poor doing better before Chavez? honest question.

Judge by yourself:

Dollar value previous chávez:

(1998) Bs. 565.00 (BsF. 0,565)
(2012) 17.000 (BsF. 17,00)

Minimun wages:

(1998): $180,00
(2012): $ 120,00

Housing construction every 1000 pop each

Cattle:

(1998) 12.812.692 cattle each head
(2012) 12.000.000 cattle each head

Total debt:

1998: 33.000 billions $
2012: 212.000 billions $

Total Public debt

agricultural export:

1998: $ 180.900.000
2012: $ 55.000.000

Enough....

And don't get me wrong. Is true that Previous Chavez's government the country was really going through a progressive impoverishment. But Chavez did nothing but accelerate deterioration.

However this doesn't really outshine the bad with their authoritarian tendencies on the media, inflation being out of control (was always a problem for the country but come on its been 15 years!), food and item shortage, Mad Max-like crime rates, and taking the most corrupt country in Latin America to a whole different level. The regime needed change but they went from a highly corrupt regime with authoritarian tendencies heavily influenced by the United States to an incredibly corrupt regime with authoritarian tendencies while practicing wacky economics and occasionally throwing a dime to the poor while screwing up the economy. Personally I hope the country takes a different route soon. I hope the people can meet in the middle and go with the Norwegian model of state owned industries in schooling, resource, and energy while maintaining a healthy private market. If "socialism" is still being screamed then they should further focus on developing the cooperatives.

I'm agree. This country really needs to take a different route soon. Otherwise we'll be living inside a crysis loophole during the rest of our life.

 

[zero shift]

In Ukraine the Armed Forces are using firearms against protesters? Or letting paramilitary groups shoot students?

There are videos in the Ukarine thread of police just flatout killing people and torturing them.

Yeah, right. Subjecting the poor people under an eternal dependence to an oversized and money-hungry welfare's state helped them very much to overcome their poverty condition.

In other words, yeah better. "Being dependent" on the state is better than nothing at all

The country depends heavily in Oil's income. We are importing almost everything to cover the country's demand. That's sovereignty?

I don't think you know what sovereignty means.

Yay! African inflation, Food shortage and unaffordable goods are clear signals of more- wealthy-than-before poor people.

I'd say having a house and education and healthcare (as crude as it is) access qualifies. And don't forget, prior Chavez the country's inflation was just as bad. I referenced it in my post.

I'm agree. This country really needs to take a different route soon. Otherwise we'll be living inside a crysis loophole during the rest of our life.

The PSUV is pretty much done at this point. They won't be able to hold much longer. The problem is that I don't see anyone who can replace them. The other party is a joke and the PSUV is just toxic at this point.

 

[FerDS]

Here's a video of what happen on February 12th, of all the ones I've seen I think it's the one that shows the events in a more impartial way, it's pretty strong, and probably NSFW: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1c4srx_asi-vimos-y-vivimos-el-12f_news

The protests are still going on, and not only in Caracas but in several cities. At night things seem to escalate

 

[Brazil]

Hoping for a brazilian govt announcement tomorrow morning, but with low expectations.

Not gonna happen. Dilma couldn't take a stand even if her life depended on it.

 

[JDSN]

Twitter spokesman Nu Wexler said Friday via email in response to an Associated Press query that "Twitter images are currently blocked in Venezuela." He included the text of a tweet the company sent explaining the workaround, but did not respond to follow-up questions.
Media coverage of the protests was limited inside Venezuela, where the socialist government dominates the airwaves. Even international media faced harassment as police smashed and confiscated cameras.

Venezuela's government also suspended broadcasting inside the country on Wednesday night of the regional news channel NTN24, claiming it was trying to incite citizens to overthrow the government.

The San Francisco-based researcher said Venezuela is in some ways more restrictive than China, India or Pakistan, closer to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait because government Internet providers can selectively block access for specific customers.

Meanwhile the house by house hunt for innocent opposition leader continues.

[QUOTE]Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro branded a key opposition leader "the face of fascism" as he demanded he give himself up on charges of murder and terrorism over street protests that left three dead.
The Leftist leader accused Leopoldo Lopez of orchestrating violence at the demonstrations on Wednesday, claiming he was trying to destabilise the country as part of a coup plot similar to that which briefly unseated his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2002.
He called supporters on to the streets for Saturday but insisted no more anti-government protests would be allowed, adding: "This is not Ukraine".[/QUOTE]

Look at all that rich people protesting the not-regime.

 

[Giant Panda]

Maduro's election was not free and fair in many ways, so even if you don't want to call him a dictator, Venezuela is certainly no democracy anymore.

 

[Ahasverus]

^^ That forum's name means "Punch/hit them" in spanish. I couldn't pass beyond that.

Thank god for the internet, so we can know the truth.

 

[JDSN]

This made me laugh more than it should have.

By the way this is the forum that Maduro supporters use to vilify venezuelan opposition. You can check it out for yourselves and see how twisted their reality is. FORUM IS IN SPANISH

I guess not only the rich and powerful have money for computer and internet, isnt that what they say to you when you argue against that piece of shit government?

 

[Federico_612]

I guess not only the rich and powerful have money for computer and internet, isnt that what they say to you when you argue against that piece of shit government?

It's The XXI Century, a computer with internet access is a goddamn requirement for many, MANY jobs, amongst other things. It is no longer a luxury for those of a high economical standard. And besides, they probably aren't NEW computers, a pc from ten years ago (2004) can still browse the internet.

 

[Purkake4]

It's The XXI Century, a computer with internet access is a goddamn requirement for many, MANY jobs, amongst other things. It is no longer a luxury for those of a high economical standard. And besides, they probably aren't NEW computers, a pc from ten years ago (2004) can still browse the internet.

More people have access to cellphones than to clean drinking water, man.

 

[JDSN]

it's not a rich/poor conflict, my friend. it's a social conflict. both rich and poor suffer from food/medicine scarcity, delinquency, inflation and corruption.

I know, im saying that when you argue in this board against the regime theres always some Sean Penn-wannabe that foolishly points out that you have internet and know english, therefore you are one of the rich privileged so of course of hate chavism, the conflict affects the whole region and destabilizes it and the people that tend to argue that it doesnt tend to be unaffected by it.

Btw, you venezuelans always bring up harina pan when you talk about food that is scarce? you guy sure love eat that shit! lol

 

[Dice]

it's not a rich/poor conflict, my friend. it's a social conflict. both rich and poor suffer from food/medicine scarcity, delinquency, inflation and corruption.

Sounds like poor planning has been in effect too long. A socialist country can't exist in this capitalist-controlled world without maintaining its own foundations in keep with growth. The aggression and such are just the reactions to the scarcity.

 

[JDSN]

scarcity will get even worse. thousands of venezuelans have fled the country already, many more will follow suit.

Not with those $5.000US plane tickets, holy shit thats expensive.

 

[clemenx]

Not gonna happen. Dilma couldn't take a stand even if her life depended on it.

Not a single Latin American president/government has said a damn thing. Gotta keep that oil flowing!

The protests are still going on, and not only in Caracas but in several cities. At night things seem to escalate

Yes. They escalate at night because the goverment are criminal thugs who attack at night.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

From earlier today:

 

[Fyrion]

That was 2012. now (2014) dolar sits at Bf.F82 making the minimum wage a mere $39...

Indeed, and keeps sinking its value. I was showing with proofs how things worsened during Chávez's period -1998/2012- (well, regardless of being dead he's still the main responsible for today's disaster) and therefore worse conditions for poor people having less resources to overcome extreme poverty.

Many thanks to our regime's BCV (central bank) non-stop currency printing for secure us a bleak hopeless future.

-Corruption is everywhere.

-Maduro is the most stupid president on earth

You got a lot of nerve listening to him. I've never heard any of TV Maduro's speech.

Fortunately The civil disobedience we are living today is due because Maduro is a very dumb dictator. Any tyrant with common sense knows that he/she never has to push too hard the citizenship to prevent harsh rebellion, being they already in a suitable submissive state for the tyrant. Chávez was aware of this and that's the reason he remained in power, he learned for the 2002 mistakes.

 

[Cimeas]

Almost every socialist government in history has fallen. As a system, collapse has always been inevitable. It is not that socialism is bad in theory- indeed in theory it works perfectly. But in practice, the implementation of socialism requires a government so big that its corruption is almost impossible to stop.

Venezuela should be one of the richest countries in the world. But instead it and it's people suffers needlessly under a government that does not have their best interests at heart. The poor, who were supposed to be helped, cannot even buy bread and toilet roll in their government run shops. They are murdered on the street in a country with one of the highest murder rates in the ENTIRE WORLD. I'm not saying it was much better before, but Chavez's brand of nationalism, anti-imperialism and Marxism led the country down a bad path. This was inevitable.

Nevertheless, due to the massive propaganda and coercion of the workforce (especially those who work for the government) and the opposition, who still suffer from their decade-old coup attempt, it is unlikely the government will fall this time. But just as the sun rises in the morning and the days get longer in Spring, it is inevitable.

 

[clemenx]

Things are getting horrible tonight. National Police attacking civilians AT THEIR HOME.

Sorry don't have links right now but check out twitter. People uploading videos at the hour.

Check out this link for a general view on things.
http://caracaschronicles.com/2014/02/19/19f/

 

[FerDS]

Yes, last night was terrible. Government police went out when Maduro was giving a speech and started shooting gas bombs into buildings.

In Altamira they broke into a residential building and arrested a lot of people, I've seen videos of officials shooting at least three people to death, and I mean unarmed people, just protesting. Apparently they take the bodies so it doesn't appear on the news. And groups of armed people on motorcycles believed to be associated with the government are also "patrolling" Caracas and other cities causing damages and hurting people.

 

[The Albatross]

When NPR was covering this story on Tuesday they mentioned that some 70 people are murdered in Venezuela every day, which makes it one of the most dangerous countries in the world per capita. For some perspective, Iraq and Venezuela are roughly similar population wise (difference of a couple million), and there are more murders in Venezuela each day than Iraq.

 

[mantidor]

Things are getting horrible tonight. National Police attacking civilians AT THEIR HOME.

Sorry don't have links right now but check out twitter. People uploading videos at the hour.

Check out this link for a general view on things.
http://caracaschronicles.com/2014/02/19/19f/

This whole thing makes my heart sink.

The worst is how little information is coming out, how bad is the media blackout? I heard of the colombian channel getting its signal taken down but nothing else. Colombian newspapers are also not reporting anything, I don't get it.

 

[feel]

Place has gone to hell. These videos of the national guard just brutally murdering people... for fucks sake