[News] Hooded Militants Launch Molotov Attack on Bolivarian University in Tachira State

[Anti-Imperialist News]

  Hooded Militants Launch Molotov Attack on Bolivarian University in
  Tachira State

http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/11278
<http://venezuelanalysis.com/printmail/11278><http://venezuelanalysis.com/print/11278> 


By Rachael Boothroyd

Caracas, March 17th 2015 (venezuelanalysis.com 
<http://venezuelanalysis.com/>) - Venezuela’s National Bolivarian Police 
force (PNB) once again entered into a stand off with what appear to be 
political opposition groups on Monday, after around 15-20 hooded 
militants attacked the local Bolivarian University in Tachira at around 
6.30pm.

Police were called to protect the building on Monday evening by 
university authorities and found themselves besieged by the group when 
they attempted to cordon off the area. Although the attackers were 
unable to reach the main building because of police presence, the grassy 
area surrounding the university was badly burned.

“The situation could have turned extremely problematic, but thanks to 
the involvement of the authorities, we were able to put out the fire,”  
stated Eduardo Marapacuto, a Coordinator at the UBV, Tachira, who stated 
that the attack lasted from about 3 pm until 11 pm at night.

According to Coronel Ramon Cabezas, chargé for citizen security at 
Tachira’s municipal government, the attackers appear to be a group of 
students from the Experimental University of Tachira (UNET).

The same morning, the group had also previously seized and set alight a 
vehicle belonging to state water company, Hidrosuroeste, outside of the 
UNET before turning their attention to the UBV.

“We want to make the public aware of these violent terrorist actions and 
these acts of vandalism by gangs of hooded attackers,” announced Cabezas 
on Venezuelan National Radio (RNV).

Just on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Tachira is a hotbed of 
rightwing political action and was also the setting for some of the most 
violent scenes from last year’s armed barricades or /guarimbas, /which 
claimed the lives of at least 43 people.

The violent protests saw rightwing activists block off roads, preventing 
freedom of movement and the circulation of necessary goods such as gas 
and food, as well as the obstruction of emergency services. Government 
buildings were badly burnt and arson attacks against the houses of 
government supporters were also reported in Tachira.

For UBV students, Monday’s attack comes as a painful reminder of  last 
year's barricades. It takes place almost exactly a year after rightwing 
militants carried out a serious arson attack against the Tachira 
headquarters of the state Experimental University of the Armed Forces 
(UNEFA).

Following the latest incident, groups at the Tachira UBV have spoken out 
against what they describe as ongoing “threats” to carry out violence 
against their educational institution.

“The terrorist groups’ slogan is that this would be their second trophy, 
making reference to the fact that practically a year ago they burnt down 
the UNEFA,” explained Marapacuto.

As one of the revolution’s most emblematic universities, providing free 
education using a popular pedagogy, many feel that UBV facilities are a 
principal target for rightwing militants.

-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
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