Venezuela tormented by violent protests
Bloody violence and protest have rocked Venezuela nearly a month now.
Anti-government protesters spearheaded by mostly students made a worldwide headlines in February. At first they protested against surging crime rates and crippling inflation rates.
To control the escalating violence, President Nicolas Maduro has resorted to grace government crackdowns which gained an international criticism from different countries.
The escalation of violence became more serious when an anti-government student leader named Daniel Tinoco was shot in the chest during a demonstration in San Cristobal. His death triggered massive protest from the young people and more violent demonstrations in the Venezuelan streets.
The young citizens demanded for a more stable government which will elevate their standard of living particulary when it comes to addressing their economic needs and the possibility of a community with zero crime rate.
Reports say there’s been more than 1,200 arrests, more than 300 or 400 injured, and 23 deaths directly related to the protests. But we tell them that in the face of violence, peace. In the face of insults from the government, peace,” he adds.
US deeply concern on the government’s crackdown of protesters
U.S. Concern About Venezuelan Government’s Response to Ongoing Protests
In his remarks in Geneva in Switzerland,
Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Busby for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor said the US deeply concerned by the government’s response to the ongoing protests in Venezuela.
He said he government’s arbitrary detention and excessive use of force against protesters endangers human rights.
The US joins with the international community to call for an end to violence, respect for human rights, and support for the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.
“We join the six UN human rights rapporteurs and urgently call for a thorough investigation into the violence, and bring to justice perpetrators of those senseless acts.” – Mr. Busby
Mr. Busby highlighted that the Venezuelan government has a responsibility to respect and protect its citizens’ safety and human rights.
Venezuela facing unrest
Violence is raging in Venezuela when a peaceful protest turned deadly, sparking new tensions and later turned to chaos.
Last month, two protesters were killed and scores were injured when the protest became violent.
Many believed the anti-government factions have caused the clamor with an aim to cause massive unrest and eventual ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.
The violent unrest was captured on videotape and the protest was reported in other parts of the country.
President Maduro has claimed his opponents are to blame for the country’s unrest and the opposition groups are planning for his his downfall.
The initial Youth Day march was peaceful at first but became deadly after government supporters and the opposition clashed, causing damage to buildings, civilian vehicles and injury to one another.
