13000 injured, 40 dead, 900 detained during Venezuelan protests

[FerDS]

repression continues during the protests after 50 days, in some states the situation has scaled to alarming levels, but mainstream media are not covering this events out of fear of the government.

Opposition leader HenriqueCapriles' passport has been suspended today, and opposition are calling for a massive nationwide protest on Saturday called "we are millions"

 

[LucidMomentum]

Man I hope Machado is okay...

 

[FromAtoX]

What a tragic situation, and no solution in sight just more death and chaos.

 

[massoluk]

Machado, you alright?

 

[tapedeck]

Holy shit...

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Recent WaPo article on what's been happening the last several months:

Fifteen-year-old Jose Guerrero died in San Cristobal on Wednesday after going out the previous afternoon to purchase flour and being shot near a protest, authorities said. His death means the number killed in nearly two months of protests and street clashes is likely to surpass that seen in the country's last political upheaval in 2014, when 43 people died during three months of demonstrations against the socialist government.

Top military commanders announced they were sending 2,000 national guardsmen and 600 troopers from special operation forces to Tachira, a mountainous state along Venezuela's border with Colombia where Guerrero and two others have been killed during protests since Monday.

The violence in Tachira began Monday after several weeks of largely peaceful protests. That day, the minister of the nation's prison system was in San Cristobal to promote Maduro's push to resolve the crisis by convening a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's constitution, a proposal the opposition rejects.

With her arrival, residents say, also came bands of ”colectivos" who threatened protesters. Videos shared on social media by Tachira residents show armed men in masks roaming the streets on foot and motorcycles and in some cases appearing to open fire.

On Monday afternoon, Luis Alviarez, 18, and Diego Hernandez, 33, were fatally shot during separate demonstrations. Videos of both incidents were distributed online, showing the two men lying lifeless on the pavement.

By Wednesday, residents in San Cristobal woke up to discover dozens of businesses had been looted. Public transportation was shut down, the state's agricultural industry — a critical provider of Venezuela's fruits and vegetables — paralyzed and people worriedly lined up at ATMs to withdraw cash.

How much worse can it get? The mind boggles.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I recently read about the guy who was killed, by the government, while he was getting diapers for his kid. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Cormano]

As half Venezuelan and being born there these types of news make me sad. I hope Maduro gets what he deserves.

 

[pr0cs]

Socialism at its best.
Hope the people can get through it without much more bloodshed

 

[massoluk]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

My condolences, please be safe

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

I can't even imagine. Stay safe.

 

[hunnies28]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Holy shit. Take care.

 

[smurfx]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

has there been a huge spike in the number of looters and robbers taking advantage of all the chaos?

 

[GKSilKamina]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Oh my god, that's horrifying. Please be careful and stay as safe as you can.

 

[Mr_Antimatter]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Holy crap, Please accept my condolences. Hope you get to safety soon.

 

[FerDS]

has there been a huge spike in the number of looters and robbers taking advantage of all the chaos?

Yes there has, many businesses have been looted over the past days. Some call into question why there is repression during protests but these lootings have been mostly allowed

 

[How About No]

Jesus Christ...

 

[BigAl1992]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Machado, please stay safe and if you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us on here.

 

[GameAddict411]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

So is your immigration plans going ok so far?

 

[FerDS]

Machado, please stay safe and if you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us on here.

There are a couple of crowdfunding campaigns to help people in the protests, I'll try to find the links.

Gas masks, baking soda, gloves, etc are all needed

 

[perfectchaos007]

man you have NO idea. "colectivos" and militarymen and breaking into peoples houses businesses and stealing EVERYTHING they can

holy shit its like living in "The Purge". Except instead of one night, its every day and every night. I assumed you would have moved to Canada by now....you've been trying to leave Venezuela for years. I hope you get out soon!

 

[QisTopTier]

man you have NO idea. "colectivos" and militarymen and breaking into peoples houses businesses and stealing EVERYTHING they can

Do whatever you can to stay safe, I can't even begin to imagine what going through shit like this must be like.

I don't know the layout of your home or where you live but if anything and if you can make a hiding place you can secure and access quickly.

 

[Earthbound64]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Darn, really sorry to hear that
Stay safe out there - the light's at the end of the tunnel, you're going to make it.

still waiting for Canada to make the FIRST move in close to a year...

Canada-chan is so baka, you have to really let her know you want her, uguu~

 

[Fandangox]

Fuck this is already worse than the last time...

 

[iamblades]

Socialism at its best.
Hope the people can get through it without much more bloodshed

^^

It's The Road to Serfdom in action. People like Bernie Sanders and Michael Moore should be embarrassed and chastised for praising the Chavez regime back when it was floating along on top of record oil prices, but I'm sure they will trot out the tired old 'no true socialist' defense.

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Keep your head down, this can't go on for much longer I hope.

 

[Stasis]

still waiting for Canada to make the FIRST move in close to a year...

As he knows now because we speak regularly, but quoting so others can understand...

Quebec is already notoriously slow with stuff, and adding all the recent immigration policies from Syria etc... it's pretty awful (not that we're taking in immigrants, but how slow it is).

I'm giving them a call soon to see if I can find out anything, but I doubt they'll offer info. Tweeting Trudeau didn't work, lol.

 

[jstripes]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

As much as I'm for activism, stay safe and inside.

Also, I hope you can get here to Canada soon.

 

[Linkura]

Glad to hear Machado is ok. Hope anyone else on GAF who lives there is safe too. This is such a nightmare and it's criminal we aren't really doing shit about it abroad. At the very least, we should be taking in refugees.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

damn fucking frightening. Stay safe Machado and other VenezuelaGAF

 

[Jonogunn]

I've been ignorant to what's been going on in Venezuela. Could someone sum it up for me?

RIP to the victims

 

[Kyleripman]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Wow. Please be safe.

 

[Takyon]

Could this lead to a Civil War?

 

[Linkura]

I've been ignorant to what's been going on in Venezuela. Could someone sum it up for me?

RIP to the victims

Literally a living nightmare would be the most succinct way to describe it. Massive food shortages, violent protests and looting, poor access to medical care, mass poverty.

 

[Dr.Acula]

I can't believe how little coverage this is getting in the main stream press.

^^

It's The Road to Serfdom in action. People like Bernie Sanders and Michael Moore should be embarrassed and chastised for praising the Chavez regime back when it was floating along on top of record oil prices, but I'm sure they will trot out the tired old 'no true socialist' defense.

How much is due to this Maduro guy? But yes, even a "good" dictator is problematic because it might look like a democracy but have none of the foundation.

Unrelated, look at Maduro's signature.

I thought Trump's was bad!

 

[Anth0ny]

christ.



stay safe Machado

 

[Disxo]

FerDs and machado pls stay safe!

 

[Brazil]

The fact that our previous government supported Maduro and Chávez basically invalidates any good they ever did. Fucking despicable pieces of shit.

 

[Yoda]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Stay safe, I can't even fathom living in an environment like that.

 

[shira]

Using snipers against protesters.

good lord

 

[Cuburt]

Wow this is fucked.

I haven't even heard a passing mention of what is going on in Venezuela before this thread.

 

[Linkark07]

Could this lead to a Civil War?

Completely one sided. Maduro has under his control the military and now these colectivos. I dread to think if one day he orders the military to kill anyone who protests. And sadly, they will do it without questioning him.

 

[andythinkpad]

The state machine has failed, it's going to be coup or civil war from now on.

 

[iamblades]

I can't believe how little coverage this is getting in the main stream press.



How much is due to this Maduro guy? But yes, even a "good" dictator is problematic because it might look like a democracy but have none of the foundation.

Unrelated, look at Maduro's signature.

I thought Trump's was bad!

Maduro is just a continuation/extension of Chavez, the issue is that the economic system in Venezuela is non functional, it was only halfway manageable for less than a dozen years while being subsidized by historically high oil prices, without which it was obviously doomed.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

I've been ignorant to what's been going on in Venezuela. Could someone sum it up for me?

RIP to the victims

For starters, the crash in oil prices has devastated the economy of Venezuela. We're talking full on food shortages, no jobs, awful crime, you name it. Old, unpopular president (Chavez) dies, replaced by politically identical successor (Maduro), who is trying to consolidate power by suspending elections and shut out the legislative body with the help of the supreme court. This has drawn international condemnation and nationwide protest. Although the supreme court's decision was partially reversed, there are continuing signs that Maduro wants the country to himself and has the backing of a military and corrupt local officials who are more than happy to violently suppress and terrorize neighborhoods in order to stamp out the organized resistance. This has been boiling for years, and this isn't the first calendar year with this level of violence. Imagine not being able to get cash from a bank or buy medicine for a decade. That's how desperate the population is.

 

[mr jones]

Wow this is fucked.

I haven't even heard a passing mention of what is going on in Venezuela before this thread.

It really is maddening. Had I not seen Machado's earlier threads about trying to flee the country, I'd have no idea about what's going on in Venezuela. The outlets for news just seem so broken here in the US.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Print and radio are covering Venezuela. I highly recommend subscribing to your newspaper of choice, they spend money all over the world getting coverage from pretty damn dangerous places.
The problem is when the US has...that...thing as president, it crowds out TV coverage, not that our TV was ever any good at looking at the rest of the world in the first place.

 

[Spoiled Milk]

I can't believe how little coverage this is getting in the main stream press.



How much is due to this Maduro guy? But yes, even a "good" dictator is problematic because it might look like a democracy but have none of the foundation.

Unrelated, look at Maduro's signature.

I thought Trump's was bad!

That's because Maduro is illiterate.

 

[ibyea]

For starters, the crash in oil prices has devastated the economy of Venezuela. We're talking full on food shortages, no jobs, awful crime, you name it. Old, unpopular president (Chavez) dies, replaced by politically identical successor (Maduro), who is trying to consolidate power by suspending elections and shut out the legislative body with the help of the supreme court. This has drawn international condemnation and nationwide protest. Although the supreme court's decision was partially reversed, there are continuing signs that Maduro wants the country to himself and has the backing of a military and corrupt local officials who are more than happy to violently suppress and terrorize neighborhoods in order to stamp out the organized resistance. This has been boiling for years, and this isn't the first calendar year with this level of violence. Imagine not being able to get cash from a bank or buy medicine for a decade. That's how desperate the population is.

A decent summary, but as much as I dislike Chavez, I can't say he was unpopular. He was very popular with the country's poor.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

Machado man stay safe.

 

[Jackpot]

I'm ok because I haven't joined the protests (with my Canada project and all) but...

-Neighbor/friend: shot dead (11 times, mere 20 meters away from my front door)
-Cousin: Arrested and tortured
...Friends threatened, injured, robbed and whatnot

Considering it'll take months, if not years, to do the Canada route I would seriously start making plans to flee to a neighbouring country illegally.