Venezuelan protests (2014-)
Since the beginning of 2014, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil unrest have been occurring throughout Venezuela. The protests erupted largely as a result of Venezuela's high levels of violence, inflation, and chronic shortages of basic goods, which protesters claim are caused by economic policies such as strict price controls. At least 6,369 protests occurred during the first six months of the year, with the highest numbers of them being reported in February and March.
Nicolas Maduro's government characterized the protests as an undemocratic coup d'etat attempt orchestrated by "fascist" opposition leaders and the United States. The Venezuelan government has been widely condemned for its handling of the protests as security forces have reportedly gone beyond typical practices of handling protests, with methods ranging from the use of rubber pellets and tear gas to instances of live ammunition and torture of arrested protestors, according to organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Other problems include media censorship and violence by pro-government militant groups known as colectivos. Venezuela's government has also been accused of politically-motivated arrests of opponents, most notably former Chacao mayor and leader of Popular Will, Leopoldo Lopez, who surrendered himself in February, responding to controversial charges of murder and inciting violence, using his arrest to protest the government's "criminalization of dissent." Maduro, a former trade union leader, rejects many of the claims against his government, saying he supports peaceful protesting and has set up a council to investigate human rights violation claims and a truth commission to investigate all the acts of violence that have occurred; he blames capitalism and speculation for causing high inflation rates and goods scarcities as part of an "economic war" being waged on his government.
The protests, which have been called a "Venezuelan Spring," in reference to the ongoing Arab Spring, have resulted in thousands of arrests, between 800 and 5000 injuries, and over 40 deaths, including both supporters and opponents of the government.
Anti-Maduro Protest in Altamira Square; Caracas, Venezuala, April 2017
Taken on: 2017-04-19
Source: Jamez42/Wikipedia
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Hold a Venezuela Solidarity Rally; Gaza, Mar 2015
Taken on: 2015-03-21
Source: İntifada Yayınları/Twitter
Objects on Fire During Protests;Caracas, Venezuela, May 2014
Taken on: 2014-05-10
Source: Carlos Diaz/Wikipedia
Protester in Venezuela wearing a Guy Fawkes mask;Venezuela, May 2014
Taken on: 2014-05-10
Source: Carlos E. Díaz/Wikipedia
Empty Tear Gas Canisters ;Caracas, Venezuela, Apr 2014
Taken on: 2014-04-20
Source: Carlos Diaz/Wikipedia
Anti-"Guarimbas" Graffiti; Venzuela, March, 2014
Taken on: 2014-03-24
Source: Jamez42/Wikipedia
Anti-Government Barricade;Venezuela, March 2014
Taken on: 2014-03-14
Source: Jamez42/Wikipedia
Venezuela: 'Why Protest?'
Taken on: 2014-03-12
Source: Daga95 / Flickr
Venezuela: Security Forces Teargas Protestors
Taken on: 2014-03-12
Source: Daga95/Flickr
Sign Bearing Anti-Maduro Protester; Caracas, Venezuala, March 2014
Taken on: 2014-03-12
Source: Daga95/Wikimedia/Flickr
Venezuela: GNB Security Vehicles Deployed
Taken on: 2014-03-08
Source: Wilfredor/Wikipedia
Venezuela: Maduro Posters Watch Protestors
Taken on: 2014-03-04
Source: Pixza_ve/Flickr
Venezuela: Protesting Scarcity
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: María Alejandra Mora (SoyMAM)/Wikipedia
Venezuela: 'Bullets Not in Shortage'
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: Jamez42/Wikipedia
Venezuela: Protest March, Maracaibo
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: María Alejandra Mora (SoyMAM)/Wikipedia
Venezuela: Protesting 'Angel of Peace'
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: Jamez42/Wikipedia
Peaceful March at the Palace of Justice;Maracaibo, Venezuela, Feb 2014
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: María Alejandra Mora (SoyMAM)/Wikipedia
Painted Anti-Maduro Protester Holding Sign; Venezuala, February 2014
Taken on: 2014-02-18
Source: Zfigueroa/Wikipedia
Venezuela: Tear Gas Volley
Taken on: 2014-02-15
Source: Andrés E. Azpúrua/Wikipedia
Tear Gas & Plastic Pellets Against a Protest ;Caracas, Venezuela, Feb 2014
Taken on: 2014-02-15
Source: Andrés E. Azpúrua/Wikipedia
Venezuela - Protesters in Downtown Venezuela
Taken on: 2014-02-12
Source: durdaneta/Flickr
