Death Count Marches to 38 amid Venezuela Unrest

[geronl]

CARACAS, Venezuela — The number killed in Venezuela amid mounting political unrest rose to 38 on Friday, as opposition leaders reported that dozens of officers had been detained for refusing to repress protesters.

Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said 85 officers, a majority from the military, had been detained for “expressing discontent” with the actions of the nation’s national guard.

Capriles said he received information about the detained officers through some of their relatives, who indicated they wanted their position shared with the public.

There has been no independent confirmation of the detentions.

National guardsmen have repeatedly launched tear gas and rubber bullets in more than a month of anti-government protests. Demonstrators are calling for President Nicolas Maduro to hold elections, but the embattled leader shows no sign of ceding to their demands.

Authorities announced Friday that Hecder Lugo, 20, had died a day after being shot in the industrial city of Valencia, which has been the scene of ongoing protests and massive looting.

excerpt
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/death-count-marches-upward-to-38-amid-venezuela-unrest/2017/05/05/e225435a-31f9-11e7-a335-fa0ae1940305_story.html?utm_term=.82b0097889ba

[geronl]

Hugo Chávez statue torn down as death toll rises in Venezuela protests

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/06/hugo-chavez-statue-torn-down-as-death-toll-rises-in-venezuela-protests

[Cripplecreek]

Hugo Chávez statue torn down as death toll rises in Venezuela protests

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/06/hugo-chavez-statue-torn-down-as-death-toll-rises-in-venezuela-protests

Chavez was a loud obnoxious bully. Unfortunately Maduro is a professional oppressor.

[geronl]

Chavez was a loud obnoxious bully. Unfortunately Maduro is a professional oppressor.

did he learn that while he was a bus driver?

[bigheadfred]

did he learn that while he was a bus driver?

That explains it. Here I thought the lunch lady had a mean streak.

[Oceander]

If the military and national guard are beginning to turn, then Maduro is in a lot of trouble.  And Venezuela is about to plunge to the bottom. 

[mountaineer]

Armoured car hits Venezuelan protesters
This and other Venezuela stories at BBC

[geronl]

If the military and national guard are beginning to turn, then Maduro is in a lot of trouble.  And Venezuela is about to plunge to the bottom.

Since he is arming his rabid supporters, half-million or more, maybe he doesn't trust the armed forces as much as one would expect?

[Oceander]

Since he is arming his rabid supporters, half-million or more, maybe he doesn't trust the armed forces as much as one would expect?

An insurance policy, and also a way to get plausible deniability   

[Cripplecreek]

An insurance policy, and also a way to get plausible deniability

Its a great way to encourage his supporters to kill the opposition without coming right out and saying it.

[XenaLee]

excerpt
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/death-count-marches-upward-to-38-amid-venezuela-unrest/2017/05/05/e225435a-31f9-11e7-a335-fa0ae1940305_story.html?utm_term=.82b0097889ba

This is merely a 'walk in the park/picnic' preview of what will happen here in the USA when our national debt finally collapses.  Ours will be much, much worse.