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<h1 class="title">Understanding the Facts on Violence and Human Rights
in Venezuela's Unrest</h1>
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<p class="byline"> <span class="date">March 13th 2014</span> </p>
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<p><strong>Understanding the Facts on Violence and Human Rights in
Venezuela Unrest</strong></p>
<p><em>By Ewan Robertson – Venezuelanalysis.com </em></p>
<p><em>Venezuelanlysis.com publishes a concise study of the fatalities,
wounded and damages caused in the last month of political violence. The
findings suggest that the narrative used to explain the violence in
most mainstream media outlets is either uninformed or deliberately
misleading.</em></p>
<p>Venezuela is currently experiencing a wave of political violence in
the context of an opposition movement of protest, riots and street
barricades which began in early February. However, it is a matter of
concern that many media outlets are forcing the complex events into a
simplistic “state repression of peaceful protesters” narrative for
their international audiences. An examination of the political violence
and the judicial efforts to investigate it suggests that this is an
incorrect characterisation of the situation and a more nuanced
understanding is needed.</p>
<p>This article looks at the fatalities and other key statistics of the
political violence to give a clearer and more accurate picture of what
is occurring. In an annex at the end, Zoe Clara Dutka publishes a
summary statement from an important group of human rights experts in
Venezuela, who released the three-point document “for those wishing to
make an authentic analysis of the current situation”. In a second
annex, a complete list of fatalities and their presumed causes of death
in the conflict is published.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">An Examination of
the Violence</span></strong></p>
<p>According to the list compiled by this author 30 deaths have
occurred in connection with the political violence so far. The most
lethal cause has been the militant opposition’s street barricades (see
Annex 2). The list explains that:</p>
<p>- 17 people died in barricade-related deaths, which include people
shot while trying to clear a barricade, “accidents” caused by
barricades and street traps, and patients dying after being prevented
from reaching hospital by a barricade. This number also includes a
pro-opposition student who was run over while trying to block a road.</p>
<p>- 5 of the deaths appear to be due to the actions of state security
forces. All these cases are under investigation, and arrests have
already been made in several.</p>
<p>- the other 8 cases are deaths in which either there exist
contradictory accounts, it is very unclear who the perpetrator was, the
killer was a third party, or where the death was an accident related to
the violence. In 5 of these cases claims have been made that the
perpetrator was an armed pro-government motorcyclist, with the word <em>colectivos
</em>used in a pejorative sense to describe these groups (see Annex 1).</p>
<p>Based on information from press reports, 12 of those who died were
civilians without an open political affiliation, 9 were identified as
pro-opposition, 5 as pro-government, 3 were National Guard officers and
1 was a government lawyer.</p>
<p>A <a
href="http://www.boletin.uc.edu.ve/index.php/entrevistas/1959-fiscalia-contabiliza-1-603-detenidos-durante-protestas">total</a>
of 318 people have been wounded, of which 237 are civilians and 81
belong to security forces, according to figures held by the Attorney
General’s office released on 7 March. The figure is likely higher due
to recent clashes and the fact that some people wounded may not have
been officially recorded, for example if they didn’t go to a medical
centre for attention.</p>
<p>There have also been significant damages to public and private
property. Nightly riots by radical opposition activists in the east of
Caracas and other cities have caused damage or destruction to
government offices, health centres, supermarkets, banks, transport
infrastructure, and other property. The riots and street barricades
have taken place in a maximum of 18 of the country’s 335 territorial
municipalities. However these municipalities represent highly populated
middle and upper class areas of several of the country’s major cities,
where the opposition has its base of support. On 26 February, two weeks
after protests started, authorities put a <a
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10417">tentative cost</a> on
the violence at BsF 10 million (US $1,587,000).</p>
<p>The riots and street barricades have also had a significant impact
on health and education services in affected areas. Schools and
universities have been closed, while in some cases access to medical
facilities has been blocked off and the passage of ambulances made
difficult, occasionally with deadly results. The Ministry of Health has
warned of the <a
href="http://www.mpps.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5729&Itemid=18">environmental</a>
and <a
href="http://www.mpps.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5730&Itemid=18">psychological</a>
impact of the barricades on public health, where burning tires and
rubbish create dangerous levels of toxic fumes, and elderly or
vulnerable citizens are effectively trapped in their communities due to
the blocking of roads.</p>
<p>A <a
href="http://www.boletin.uc.edu.ve/index.php/entrevistas/1959-fiscalia-contabiliza-1-603-detenidos-durante-protestas">total</a>
of 1,603 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest,
according to the Attorney General’s 7 March update. The majority of
these have been released without charge or on bail conditions. 92
remain in custody to be charged with various “violent crimes”,
including homicide in a few cases.</p>
<p>Further, 14 members of security forces have been arrested for
alleged abuses and excess use of force.</p>
<p>The Venezuelan ombudsman, the state’s human rights defender, has
received 44 denouncements of alleged abuses by state security forces,
the majority of which have to do with the excess use of force during or
under arrest. On 7 March the ombudsman held a <a
href="http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/226820/ramirez-hemos-recibido-44-denuncias-por-el-derecho-a-la-integridad-fisica/">meeting</a>
with the Penal Forum, a Venezuelan human rights NGO, to collect further
information on the cases. Two of the cases qualify for possible torture
while in custody, <a
href="http://panorama.com.ve/portal/app/push/noticia103691.php">according</a>
to the ombudsman and the UN rapporteur on torture. Authorities have
also <a
href="http://www.derechos.org.ve/2014/03/06/provea-sostuvo-reunion-con-fiscal-general-para-tratar-casos-de-violaciones-a-ddhh-en-el-pais/">met</a>
with Venezuelan human rights NGO Provea to discuss the cases.</p>
<p>The opposition MUD coalition’s human rights commission also claims
that there exist cases of irregularities in the processing of some of
those detained, such as not allowing them due access to family members
or lawyers. The ombudsman made a renewed <a
href="http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140309/defensora-tacho-a-guarimbas-de-trampas-caza-humanos">call</a>
last weekend to security forces to fulfill all correct legal proceeding
during arrests.</p>
<p>The government also says that a total of 20,000 National Guard
officers are deployed in the country due to the unrest and the many
opposition protests that have occurred, and argues that the 44
denouncements represent a small minority of security forces deployed.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Responsibility and
Investigation</span></strong></p>
<p>Authorities have repeatedly spoken out against all forms of
political violence and stated that any abuses by security forces will
be investigated. The Attorney General has <a
href="http://www.boletin.uc.edu.ve/index.php/entrevistas/1959-fiscalia-contabiliza-1-603-detenidos-durante-protestas">offered</a>
anonymity to anyone who comes forward.</p>
<p>“We’re going to investigate any disproportionate use of force. We
reject it and we want justice to be proportionately applied, I want
this to be very clear,” said Ombudsman Gabriela Ramirez in a press
conference on Friday 7 March.</p>
<p>While the government has focused on criticising the violence of the
radical opposition, they have also stated from early on that any
violence from pro-government groups will not be tolerated either, and
have called on government supporters to work for “peace”.</p>
<p>“I want to say clearly: someone who puts on a red t-shirt with
Chavez’s face and takes out a pistol to attack isn’t a Chavista or a
revolutionary. I don’t accept violent groups within the camp of
Chavismo and the Bolivarian revolution. If you want to have arms to
fight…get out of Chavismo,” <a
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10356">warned</a> President
Nicolas Maduro during a “rally for peace” with supporters on 15
February, three days after the first deaths from the violent unrest
occurred.</p>
<p>Nevertheless the opposition has almost exclusively blamed the
government for the violence, saying that security forces and radical
armed chavista groups are responsible.</p>
<p>“State security forces, accompanied by paramilitary groups, have
cruelly attacked peaceful and defenceless protesters…leaving a
lamentable tally of citizens assassinated, seriously wounded, tortured
and disappeared,” <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10382">claimed</a>
the opposition’s Democratic Unity Table (MUD) coalition in a statement
on 21 February.</p>
<p>In response to the violence, President Nicolas Maduro <a
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10424">has advocated</a> that
the National Assembly form a “Truth Commission” to investigate “all”
acts of violence in recent weeks. This would also include investigating
the role of “extremist right-wing groups” in perpetrating or promoting
acts of violence. Opposition and pro-government parliamentarians have
debated forming such a commission, which would then seek to include
civil society figures such as the Catholic Church and respected
journalists as members.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the opposition MUD coalition is preparing its own report
on the violence. Rather than take this report to national judicial
authorities, they will go straight to “international organisations”
with their denouncements.</p>
<p>The coalition appears to be solely investigating cases of alleged
abuses by state security forces, possibly in order to support their
narrative of the violence.</p>
<p>“In all these cases the direct responsibility belongs to the
government that Nicolas Maduro presides, and therefore it should be
accused of crimes against humanity,” argued Elenis Rodriguez, president
of the Foundation for Citizen Rights and Equity, who is helping the MUD
compile the report.</p>
<p>Meanwhile on 7 March the Organization of American States (OAS)
released a statement on the conflict expressing “its condolences and
solidarity with the victims and their relatives, with the people and
the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and its
commitment to the investigations coming to an expedited and just
conclusion”.</p>
<p>Diplomatically the resolution was considered supportive of the
Venezuelan government, and also included a not-so-veiled message to
street barricaders by calling for the “respect for human rights and
fundamental liberties, including the right to freedom of expression,
peaceful gatherings, free transit, health and education”. The full
statement can be read <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10463">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Careful
Observation </span></strong></p>
<p>The incidences of the recent political violence in Venezuela suggest
that that the violence shouldn’t be explained or characterised by a
simplistic “state repression of peaceful protesters” narrative. The
above typology of the violence demonstrates that there exists a complex
situation in the country with violence being generated by more than one
source. The most lethal of these has been the militant opposition
street barricades, which beyond deaths caused, have had a significant
physical, environmental and psychological impact on public health.
Other sources of violence have been the irregular actions of security
forces, shootings in which there exist accusations that armed
pro-government groups are responsible, and other accidental or third
party killings.</p>
<p>As such, the patterns of violence experienced in the unrest so far
suggest that the narrative promoted by many mainstream media outlets is
likely to mislead international audiences on the nature of the violence
occurring. This narrative has even been reproduced, perhaps due to lack
of research rather than purposeful misreporting, by several leading
newspapers usually known for their journalistic integrity. For example,
an <a
href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/10/venezuelan-protesters-san-cristobal-barricades-national-guard">article</a>
by Sibylla Brodzinsky in the UK Guardian on 10 March described the
violence as follows. It is left to readers to conclude whether this
description allows an international audience to accurately understand
the nature of the political violence occuring:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The protests began more than a month ago…amid growing distrust of
Maduro…The protests spread to Caracas and other cities, prompting a
violent response from the government. At least 21 people have died and
hundreds have been injured in the nationwide clashes”.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Journalists should be careful not to play to inaccurate stereotypes
or narratives of the political violence being experienced in Venezuela.
As different international figures and organisations debate their
stance and course of action, it is imperative for observers to have an
accurate grasp of the reality of the situation and the nature of the
political violence occurring in the country.</p>
<p><em>In Annex 1 below, Zoe Clara Dutka of Venezuelanalysis.com
summarises a statement by an important group of Venezuelan human rights
experts giving their perspective of the situation in the country. The
signatories are current and former members of various Venezuelan NGO’s
such as Amnesty International (Venezuela chapter), PROVEA, and the Red
de Apoyo y Justicia Por la Paz. The information on recent statements by
opposition leaders Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles was added by
VA.com. The full list of the document’s signatories (in Spanish) is
included in a footnote at the end of the article. </em></p>
<p><em>In Annex 2, the full list compiled by this author of fatalities
in the last month of political violence is published. </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Annex 1: The
Situation of Human Rights in the Current Moment: An Alternative View</span></strong></p>
<p><em>By Zoe Clara Dutka – Venezuelanalysis.com</em></p>
<p>A number of Venezuelan human rights groups joined together on
February 24th to organize <a
href="http://vainasverdes.blogspot.com/2014/02/situacion-de-los-derechos-humanos-en-la.html">a
document</a> outlining the unique circumstances that make up today’s
conflict. They urge international human rights groups to respect their
observations, as longstanding organizations made up of dedicated
Venezuelans who may provide a more intimate understanding of current
events in their country. A full list of the organizations who
participated in the document is provided below. <br>
<br>
All groups involved made statements condemning violence in all its
forms and demanding the government conduct full investigations of any
uniformed officials linked to instances of aggression and unwarranted
activity. <br>
<br>
We highlight the following three points in an attempt to provide
necessary context for those wishing to make an authentic analysis of
the current situation. <br>
<br>
<strong>The historic utilization of the term “Human Rights,” in regards
to Venezuela.</strong> In 2003 Amnesty International sounded the alarm
on a general misuse of this term in reference to Venezuela. Undeniably
influenced and oftentimes financed by the United States government,
many leading human rights organizations, most notably Human Rights
Watch, have repeatedly disregarded democratic proceedings in favor of a
determined accusatory stance towards the Venezuelan state. <br>
<br>
In this instance, the term “human rights violations” is being used by
the opposition (through social media and media outreach) as an argument
to force a democratically elected leader out of office through
unconstitutional means. This infringes upon the majority’s right to
choose exercised in the April 2013 presidential and December regional
elections that brought the current government into office. <br>
<br>
<strong>Increased polarization as a source of conflict.</strong> In
January the government reached out to opposition leaders to coordinate
their efforts to lower crime rates, which both parties acknowledged was
a top priority. At the same time, strict measures were taken by the
government meant to reduce speculation and food shortages.<br>
<br>
The onslaught of protests beginning February 12th ruined any idea of a
continued dialogue between these two political sectors, and has
polarized Venezuelan society to a previously unheard of extent. A
general scorn for dialogue has prevailed as the trademark of the
opposition. More than any list of demands or proposed solutions, the
ultimate goal of the protestors is to force the government out of
office, characterized by the hashtag symbol #lasalida (the exit). <br>
<br>
The refusal to dialogue is made even clearer by the opposition’s
boycott of the peace talks hosted by the government. Ex-presidential
candidate Henrique Capriles said of his absence in the talks, “This is
a dying government. I’m not going to be like the orchestra on the
Titanic.” <br>
<br>
Leopoldo Lopez, oppositional leader in jail for inciting violence in
the initial protests, tweeted from behind bars “‘The exit’ will only
happen when people organize in the streets to make the dictatorship
retreat.” <br>
<br>
The increased polarization is an important factor in the increasingly
violent attitude assumed by both the student protestors and their
counterparts among government supporters. In short, the contempt shown
for dialogue and the negation of the government’s legitimacy is
internalized on a societal level as a battle cry. <br>
<br>
In order to stop the cycle of violence, international human rights
organizations would do well to uphold the declaration made by the OAS
and urge the opposition to engage in peace talks. <br>
<br>
<strong>The criminalization of social sectors.</strong> In reference to
the presence of possible “armed collectives” who the media has
presented as a kind of shock troop or special police, we must be very
clear. Generalizations do not lead to solutions in any conflict, and
just as we recognize that not all the student protests are violent nor
all their participants extremists, we must offer a clean and
straightforward look at what the colectivos are and the role they have
played. <br>
<br>
Over the past three decades, many revolutionaries have maintained that
an armed struggle is imperative in Venezuela. Hugo Chavez was
emphatically against this notion during his presidency and repeatedly
warned any armed groups, no matter if they were his supporters, that
they were placing themselves on the margin of the law and must assume
the consequences. Nicolas Maduro has equally condemned the presence of
armed civilians harassing recent protestors, and put out a warrant for
the arrest of any who have been linked to violence. <br>
<br>
It’s important to note that for many, the colectivos are synonymous
with community organizing… NOT with violence. The image of the
colectivo as a primarily male reactionary group of rebels on
motorcycles is a product of the media, and could be no farther from the
truth. The criminalization of these community collectives is similar to
the way the neighborhood Bolivarian Circles were attacked and their
image was distorted after the 2002 coup against Chavez. These are the
kinds of organizations that have characterized the participatory aspect
of Venezuela’s democracy, and to typecast them as terrorist groups is
to overlook some leading examples of the power of grassroots organizing.</p>
<p>Signed, signatories<a title=""
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10474#_edn1">[i]</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Annex 2: A List of
Fatalities in Venezuela’s Recent Political Violence </span></strong></p>
<p><em>By Ewan Robertson – Venezuelanalysis.com</em></p>
<p>Writing on 13 March, a total of at least 30 people have died in
connection with the opposition protests, street barricades and unrest
which have been occurring since 12 February in Venezuela.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A note on the following
count</span></p>
<p>This list has been compiled using reports from Venezuelan
authorities and media. It includes all deaths which have been
reportedly connected with the protests, riots, and street barricades.
However it does not include several cases which have been included on
other lists, due to the possibility that these deaths were not related
to the political violence but were in fact the result of other criminal
violence. It also differs slightly from the count held by Venezuelan
authorities, which does not appear to include the two cases mentioned
below of deaths caused by barricades delaying patients in a critical
condition from reaching hospital.</p>
<p>It is important to highlight that both this and all other counts are
made using the available information and the judgment of the authors.
New information produced as investigations proceed may change which
cases count as being connected to the political violence, and who the
perpetrator of each murder is considered to be. Observers are welcome
to send in information to VA.com on cases that may have been missed, or
information that suggests that cases which have been excluded from the
current list should be included.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The list is as follows:</span></p>
<p><strong>1,2 & 3:</strong> On 12 February, an opposition
activist, <strong>José Roberto Redman </strong>(31), a pro-opposition
carpenter, <strong>Bassil DaCosta </strong>(23), and a Chavista
social activist, <strong>Juan Montoya</strong> (40) were killed <a
href="http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/tres-muertos-y-23-heridos-al-finalizar-marcha-estu.aspx">during
clashes</a> in Caracas.</p>
<p>DaCosta and Montoya are assumed to have been shot during a
confrontation with intelligence service (SEBIN) officers and armed
civilians near the Attorney General’s office following the violent end
of an opposition march in the area. Five SEBIN officers <a
href="http://www.el-nacional.com/sucesos/Fiscalia-Sebin-Bassil-Da-Costa_0_362963826.html">have
been charged</a> in connection with the deaths. President Maduro said
that the SEBIN service had orders to remain indoors that day, and the
officers present on the scene were acting against orders. The director
of SEBIN at the time, Gen. Manuel Gregorio Bernal, has been removed
from his post.</p>
<p>Redman was reportedly <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/hablan-los-testigos--a-redman-le-dio-fue-un-tiro-a.aspx">killed</a>
later that evening by a motorbike rider who rode past a group of
opposition activists on the street and fired at them. According to a
witness, the rider was dressed in black and was “impossible to
identify”. </p>
<p><strong>4:</strong> On 18 February, a 17 year old student,<strong>
José Ernesto Méndez</strong> was reportedly <a
href="http://www.periodico24.com/murio-joven-que-fue-atropellado-mientras-protestaba-en-carupano/noticia/51131/">run
over</a> by a car in Carúpano, Sucre state, while trying to block a
road as part of protests. The person accused of running him over was
arrested.</p>
<p><strong>5:</strong> On 18 February, a student and former Miss
Tourism Carabobo, <strong>Génesis Carmona </strong>(22), <a
href="http://www.notitarde.com/Valencia/Murio-Genesis-Carmona-estudiante-herida-de-bala-en-la-cabeza-durante-manifestacion-/2014/02/19/306552">was
shot</a> and killed during an opposition march in Valencia, Carabobo
state. Ultimas Noticias <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/murio-genesis-carmona-modelo-herida-durante-protes.aspx">reported</a>
witnesses saying that a pro-government armed group had attacked the
march. However, Interior Affairs Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres and
other authorities later <a
href="http://albaciudad.org/wp/index.php/2014/02/rodriguez-torres-genesis-carmona-recibio-un-disparo-desde-su-propia-gente/">stated</a>
that ballistic investigations showed that Carmona was <a
href="http://ojopelao.com/testigo-opositor-confirma-genesis-carmona-murio-por-bala-disparada-a-sus-espaldas-video/">shot
from behind</a> “from within opposition ranks”. Authorities also say
witnesses have confirmed this. The investigation is ongoing.</p>
<p><strong>6: </strong>On 19 February, worker <strong>Asdrúbal Jose
Rodríguez </strong>(26) was arrested by officers from the police force
of the opposition-controlled municipality of Chacao, in the Altamira
area of Caracas where protests were occurring. He was <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/no-era-robamotos-dicen-familiares-de-asdrubal-rodr.aspx">found
dead</a> the next day. Two officers of the Chacao police force have
been arrested for suspected murder. Family members insist that
Rodriguez was not part of the protests (as was apparently claimed), and
nor was he trying to rob a motorbike, as a Chacao police source had
said.</p>
<p><strong>7:</strong> On 19 February, public attorney <strong>Julio
Eduardo González </strong>(25), <a
href="http://www.ciudadccs.info/?p=535289">crashed his car</a> in
Valencia, Carabobo state while trying to drive around a street
barricade.</p>
<p><strong>8:</strong> On 19 February, <strong>Luzmila Petit de Colina
</strong>(70),<a href="http://www.ciudadccs.info/?p=535274">died</a>
when barricaders prevented her passage to a medical clinic in Caracas.
Colina was suffering from arterial hypertension at the time and doctors
<a
href="http://albaciudad.org/wp/index.php/2014/02/conductora-de-zurda-konducta-responsabiliza-a-grupos-fascistas-por-la-muerte-de-su-madre/">said</a>
that the delay in reaching hospital was what provoked the death. Colina
was the mother of a state channel TV presenter, Jean Francis Colina.</p>
<p><strong>9:</strong> On 20 February, <strong>Arturo Alexis Martinez </strong>(59),
brother of socialist party (PSUV) deputy Francisco Martínez, <a
href="http://www.laprensalara.com.ve/2014/02/20/asesinan-hermano-del-diputado-francisco-martinez/">was
shot dead</a> in Lara state while trying to clear up a road barricade
in Barquisimeto. Ballastic investigations suggested that Martinez was
shot from a nearby apartment bloc. A 28 year old man <a
href="http://www.avn.info.ve/node/225614">has been arrested</a> in
connection with the murder.</p>
<p><strong>10:</strong> On 20 February, <strong>Delia Elena Lobo </strong>(41)
<a
href="http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/223656/muere-meridena-de-37-anos-que-se-trasladaba-en-moto-a-causa-de-una-alambrada/">died</a>
after her motorbike crashed into the barbed wire of a street barricade
in Mérida state.</p>
<p><strong>11</strong>: On 21 February, <strong>Elvis Rafael Durán </strong>(29)
(note: the name has also been reported as Santiago Enrique Pedroza) <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/fallece-motorizado-por-guaya-colocada-en-barricada.aspx">died</a>
(reportedly beheaded) in the Sucre municipality of Caracas after riding
his motorbike into an unseen barbed wire barricade.</p>
<p><strong>12:</strong> On 22 February, a student, <strong>Geraldine
Moreno </strong>(23), who had been allegedly <a
href="http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/223858/fallecio-la-joven-herida-por-perdigones-en-carabobo/"
target="_blank">shot</a> with birdshot by a National Guard officer
during a protest in Carabobo state a few days earlier, died from head
injuries. The scientific police investigation body (CICPC) <a
href="http://www.el-carabobeno.com/sucesos/articulo/76200/cicpc-inici-investigaciones-para-esclarecer-asesinato-de-geraldine">is
investigating</a> the incident, and have reportedly <a
href="http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140310/familiares-de-geraldine-moreno-exigen-celeridad-en-la-investigacion">identified</a>
the officer responsible.</p>
<p><strong>13:</strong> On 22 February, a student, <strong>Danny Joel
Melgarejo Vargas </strong>(20), <a
href="http://www.el-nacional.com/sucesos/Estudiante-muerto-rina-terceros_0_361164001.html">was
stabbed</a> near a barricade in Tachira. While twitter rumors initially
claimed Vargas was shot by the National Guard, authorities revealed he
was stabbed by a private citizen. State governor Jose Vielma <a
href="http://diariodelosandes.com/content/view/245755/105984/">said</a>
that barricaders damaged the bike of a motorbike rider and then put out
a cigarette on his forehead when he tried to pass the barricade. The
motorbike rider returned fifteen minutes later looking for revenge, and
mistook Vargas for the barricaders, stabbing him twice. Two arrests <a
href="http://www.lanacion.com.ve/infogeneral/captura-cicpc-a-un-joven-de-16-anos-por-crimen-del-estudiante-de-iufront/">have
been made</a> in connection with the incident.</p>
<p><strong>14:</strong> On 23 February, <strong>José Alejandro Márquez</strong>
(43), a systems engineer, <a
href="http://www.eluniversal.com/sucesos/140224/fallece-ingeniero-golpeado-por-la-gnb-en-protesta-opositora">was
announced</a> dead. His skull was fractured three days earlier when he
was arrested by the National Guard during a protest in Caracas. There
are conflicting accounts of events, one being that Marquez’ injuries
came from falling while running to avoid arrest, another that National
Guard officers beat Marquez while under arrest and caused his injuries.
Seven National Guard officers are currently <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/investigan-a-siete-guardias-por-muerte-de-alejandr.aspx">being
investigated</a> in connection with the incident.</p>
<p><strong>15:</strong> On 24 February, <strong>Jimmy Vargas </strong>(34),
an anti government activist, <a
href="http://albaciudad.org/wp/index.php/2014/02/video-muestra-que-joven-tachirense-jimmy-vargas-murio-al-caer-accidentalmente-de-una-platabanda/">fell
from a rooftop</a> and died in Tachira state. The nearby street
barricade that he manned was reportedly under attack by security forces
at the time, and many local and national press outlets apparently <a
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10410">falsely reported</a>
that Vargas was shot by the National Guard.</p>
<p><strong>16:</strong> On 24 February, a businessman, <strong>Wilmer
Jhonny Carballo </strong>(43), <a
href="http://globovision.com/articulo/fallece-un-hombre-en-el-estado-aragua-tras-recibir-disparo-en-la-cabeza">was
shot dead</a> when motorbike riders attacked a protest in Aragua state.
Press mention the motorbike riders fired into the air, but don’t
confirm exactly who killed Carballo. Family members <a
href="http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2014/02/25/530d026f268e3e884a8b458b.html">say</a>
that the bikers were from a pro-government group.</p>
<p><strong>17:</strong> On 24 February, motorbike taxi worker <strong>Antonio
José Valbuena </strong>(32) <a
href="http://www.upatadigital.com.ve/matan-a-mototaxista-que-intento-quitar-escombros-en-vias-de-maracaibo">was
shot</a> in Maracaibo, Zulia state, while clearing a barricade to open
up a road to traffic. He was reportedly killed by a masked figure as
part of an effort to dissuade the group he was with from their activity.</p>
<p><strong>18:</strong> On 24 February, an elderly lady, <strong>Carmen
Roldán</strong> (82), <a
href="http://www.laverdad.com/politica/47196-presidenta-del-clez-denuncia-muerte-de-anciana-por-barricadas.html">died</a>
when her ambulance was unable to reach hospital due to a barricade in
Maracaibo, Zulia state. She and four residents from her care centre
were reportedly <a href="http://www.avn.info.ve/node/223791">suffering</a>
from respiratory infections due to the smoke produced from burning
tires on the barricades.</p>
<p><strong>19:</strong> On 25 February, motorbike rider <strong>Eduardo
Anzola</strong> (29) <a
href="http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/76376/motorizado-muri-tras-impactar-contra-una-barricada-en-la-av.-michelena">died</a>
when he crashed into an unseen street barricade at night in Valencia,
Carabobo state.</p>
<p><strong>20:</strong> On 28 February, a National Guard officer<strong>,
Giovanni Pantoja </strong>(29) was reportedly <a
href="http://laiguana.tv/noticias/2014/02/28/12911/CONFIRMADO-FALLECIO-EN-UNA-EMBOSCADA-UN-GNB-AL-RECIBIR-UN-DISPARO-EN-UN-OJO-VIDEO.html">shot</a>
by an assailant while trying to clear <a
href="http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/76572/gnb-falleci-por-un-disparo-en-el-ojo-durante-manifestacin-en-el-trigal">burning
tires</a> from a road with fellow officers in Carabobo state.</p>
<p><strong>21</strong>: On 3 March, student <strong>Luis Gutiérrez
Camargo</strong> reportedly <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/un-muerto-en-tachira-al-chocar-contra-barricada.aspx">died</a>
when he drove into a barricade in Táchira state. However family members
have also <a
href="http://diariodelosandes.com/content/view/246455/106231/">stated</a>
that Camargo actually hit rocks on the road near the barricade and not
the barricade itself. Further, it is not clear whether the rocks had
been placed intentionally on the road or not. Authorities are
investigating.</p>
<p><strong>22: </strong>On 3 March, motorbike taxi worker <strong>Deivis
José Duran Useche</strong> <a
href="http://www.2001.com.ve/en-la-calle/muere-mototaxista-por-barricada.html">died</a>
on a street in Caracas when his motorbike hit an open street drain
whose lid had been taken by protesters, presumably to make a barricade.</p>
<p><strong>23 & 24</strong> – On 6 March a National Guard officer, <strong>Acner
Isaac López León</strong> (25), and a moto-taxi worker, <strong>José
Gregorio Amaris</strong> (24) <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/video---dos-muertos-en-enfrentamientos-en-los-ruic.aspx">were
killed</a> by gunshots during <a
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10457">an effort</a> to clear
an opposition barricade from a road in Caracas. Authorities say the
shots came from nearby buildings. An investigation is underway.</p>
<p><strong>25</strong>: On 7 March, a motorcyclist, <strong>Johan
Alfonso Pineda Morales </strong>(28), <a
href="http://www.el-nacional.com/sucesos/Reportan-motorizado-autopista-Francisco-Fajardo_0_368363285.html">died</a>
when his motorbike sipped on oil placed on a highway in Caracas.
Venezuela’s transport minister Haiman El Troudi claimed that the oil
was placed “intentionally” by “terrorist and barricader” groups.</p>
<p><strong>26</strong>: On 8 March, student and pro-government activist
<strong>Gisela Rubilar Figueroa</strong> (47) <a
href="http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/protestas-en-venezuela/140310/murio-mujer-en-una-barricada-en-merida">was
shot</a> by assailants while she tried to clear a barricade that was
blocking access to her community in Mérida state. She died a day later,
on 9 March. An investigation has been launched.</p>
<p><strong>27</strong>: On 10 March, <strong>Daniel Tinoco</strong>
(24), a pro-opposition student in Táchira state, <a
href="http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/protestas-en-venezuela/140310/muere-estudiante-en-tachira-tras-recibir-disparo-en-el-pecho">was
shot</a> while at a common meeting point with other activists. Private
media reports say he was shot by unidentified gunmen on motorbikes. The
government has joined condolences and ordered an official investigation.</p>
<p><strong>28, 29 & 30:</strong> On 12 March, during a lamentably <a
href="http://www.elsoldemargarita.com.ve/posts/post/id:129267/Fallece-GNB-y-estudiante-en-protestas-de-Valencia">bloody
day</a> of violent confrontations in Valencia, Carabobo state, two
civilians and one National Guard officer were killed, all from firearms.</p>
<p>The civilians were student <strong>Jesús Enrique Acosta</strong>
(20) and a worker, <strong>Guillermo Sánchez</strong> (42), who died
on Avenida Isabelica. Family members of the two <a
href="http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/ameliach-denuncia-muerte-de-capitan-de-la-gnb-en-n.aspx">insist</a>
they were shot armed by pro-government motorcyclists. The PSUV state
governor, Francisco Ameliach instead claimed that the men were fact
shot by snipers in a nearby building, “by their own people”.</p>
<p>The National Guard officer to be killed was captain <strong>Ramso
Ernesto Bracho Bravo</strong>. He was reportedly <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/ameliach-denuncia-muerte-de-capitan-de-la-gnb-dura.aspx">shot</a>
in the face during confrontations with barricaders while his unit were
trying to clear barricades on a street in Valencia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Regional states in
which the deaths occurred:</span></strong></p>
<p>Capital District (Caracas): 11</p>
<p>Carabobo (Valencia): 8</p>
<p>Tachira (San Cristóbal): 4</p>
<p>Mérida (Mérida city): 2</p>
<p>Zulia (Maracaibo): 2</p>
<p>Sucre: 1</p>
<p>Lara: 1</p>
<p>Aragua: 1</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Apparent cause of
death</span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Deaths implicating security forces</strong>: 5</p>
<p>- Bassil Da Costa, Juan Montoya, José Alejandro Márquez, Geraldine
Moreno, Asdrúbal Jose Rodríguez.</p>
<p><strong>Deaths occurring on or because of barricades and road traps</strong>:
17 (16 implicating opposition activists or activities, 1 student run
over).</p>
<p> - Julio Eduardo González, Arturo Alexis Martinez, Delia Elena
Lobo, Elvis Rafael Durán, Antonio José Valbuena, Eduardo Anzola,José
Ernesto Méndez, Luzmila Petit de Colina, Carmen Roldán, Giovanni
Pantoja, Luis Gutiérrez Camargo, Deivis José Duran Useche, Acner Isaac
López León, José Gregorio Amaris, Johan Alfonso Pineda Morales, Gisela
Rubilar Figueroa, Ramso Ernesto Bracho Bravo.</p>
<p><strong>Deaths where the perpetrator is not clear / accusations go
both directions, the killer was a third party, or an accident occurred
related to clashes:</strong> 8</p>
<p>- Roberto Rodman, Jimmy Vargas, Jhonny Carballo,Génesis Carmona,
Daniel Tinoco, Danny Joel Melgarejo Vargas, Jesús Enrique Acosta,
Guillermo Sánchez.</p>
<p>Of these eight cases, in six opposition activists were shot by so
far unidentified persons, in five of which there exist accusations that
the killer belonged to a pro-government armed group. In the other two,
an opposition activist died by accident, and a bystander was stabbed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Political
affiliation of those who died</span></strong></p>
<p>The below information is based on press reports and conclusions
drawn by the author. As more information becomes available these
numbers could change.</p>
<p>Civilians with no identified political affiliation so far: 12</p>
<p>Identified with the opposition: 9</p>
<p>Identified with the government: 5</p>
<p>National Guard: 3</p>
<p>Public servants: 1</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Additional cases
possibly associated with the political violence but not included on the
list</span></strong></p>
<p>On 25 February, Joan Gabriel Quintero was <a
href="http://www.dattv.tv/portal/index.php/noticias/secciones/regionales/item/21144-fallecio-hombre-en-el-limon-estado-aragua-durante-saqueos">shot</a>
by unidentified figures during the sacking of a supermarket in Aragua
state. It is not clear if this was linked to the political violence, or
was related to gang violence, what authorities refer to as “settling
accounts”.</p>
<p>On 27 February,Nancy Perez (89), the mother of the PSUV governor of
Yaracuy state, Julio León Heredia, died of a heart attack. President
Maduro said on national television that she <a
href="http://globovision.com/articulo/denuncian-ataque-a-vivienda-de-la-exministra-nancy-perez">died</a>
“as a result of the pot banging protest” that opposition activists were
doing outside of her house. It is not clear at the moment if it was
this protest that caused the heart attack or not, however Maduro did
mention that the lady in question was in a delicate medical condition
and was meant to remain in a calm and peaceful state.</p>
<p>On 10 March, a pro-government student, Angelo Vargas Stanco (25) <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/sucesos/dirigente-estudiantil-resulto-muerto-a-manos-del-h.aspx">was
shot</a>, reportedly from a moving car in Bolivar state. Another man,
José Gregorio Padilla (27), who was with Vargas, was also killed.
Vargas had reportedly <a
href="http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/politica/dos-jovenes-venezolanos-fueron-asesinados-anoche-evento-relacionados-protestas-opositoras/">received
threats</a> after arguing against opposition students in university
debates that classes should re-start. Private media have alleged that
the incident was an attempted robbery. However police <a
href="http://www.noticiasvenezolanas.com.ve/index.php/716357/manejan-venganza-contra-un-tercero-en-caso-de-asesinato-de-estudiante-en-bolivar/">consider</a>
that the motive may have been a “revenge” to murder Gregorio Padilla,
and so the killing may not be related to the violent protests and
unrest. A PSUV parliamentarian also claimed the deaths were not related
to barricaders, and asked that the case not be “politicised”. </p>
<p>The above list reports two cases of deaths (<a
href="http://www.ciudadccs.info/?p=535274">here</a> and <a
href="http://www.avn.info.ve/node/223791">here</a>) which occurred
when barricaders didn’t let patients experiencing an emergency medical
situation to reach a hospital in time. However, President Nicolas
Maduro <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/maduro-hay-30-fallecidos-por-enfermedades-respirat.aspx">said</a>
on 24 February that 30 people, including those with respiratory
conditions, had died as a result of the smoke from barricades and
delays in reaching hospital. On 26 February Maduro went on <a
href="http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/maduro-van-mas-de-50-muertos-por-las-guarimbas.aspx">to
say</a> that “over fifty” people had died in connection with the
barricades.</p>
<div><br clear="all">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%">
<div>
<p><a title=""
href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10474#_ednref1">[i]</a> 1.
Ana Barrios, C.I. 5.451.122, Miembra del equipo coordinador de (Provea
1990-1995). Integrante de Amnistía Internacional Venezuela (2004-2009).
Miembra asociada de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz
(2000-actual).<br>
2. Marieva Caguaripano, C.I. 10.378016. Comunicadora. Coordinadora del
área de Comunicación e Información, Miembro del Equipo Coordinador,
Provea (1990, 1995). Productora de campañas de prevención y
concientización sobre embarazo adolescente y violencia doméstica (2010
- 2012).<br>
3. Alba Carosio, C.I. 11858059. Feminista, Coordinadora de
Investigación del Centro de Estudios de la Mujer de la Universidad
Central de Venezuela. Actualmente activa en la Red de Colectivos La
Araña Feminista.<br>
4. Cristóbal Cornieles Perret Gentil. C.I. 10.817.524. Abogado. Miembro
de la Asamblea de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz (2006 -);
Miembro Consultivo de CECODAP (1999 ‐2007); Integrante del equipo de
defensa jurídica de ACCSI (1999 ‐2000); Integrante del Colectivo de
Atención Integral a los Trabajadores (Aportes, 1995- 1998) e Integrante
de Provea (1994- 1995).<br>
5. Luis Díaz, C.I. 11.488.047. Investigador. Centro para la Paz y los
Derechos Humanos. Universidad Central de Venezuela. 1996 - 2009. <br>
6. Michael Adolfo Díaz Mendoza, C.I. 17.066.609. Abogado y activista de
DDHH. Colaborador del Centro de Apoyo Comunidad Universidad CEA-UC
(2000-2008), miembro del Colectivo de Educación e Investigación para el
Desarrollo Social - CEIDES (2008-2010).<br>
7. Isamar Escalona, C.I. 7.981.055. Responsable de Grupos y Redes. Área
de Educación Provea (2000-2006).<br>
8. Pedro Pablo Fanega, C.I. 6.241.410. miembro de del Centro de
Organización Comunitaria y Derechos Humanos del Estado Vargas, Codehva
(2004-2007). Miembro de la Comisión Nacional para la Reforma Policial
(2006-2007).<br>
9. Pablo Fernández Blanco, C.I. 23.527.749, Integrante y Coordinador
del Programa de Educación en DDHH (1996-2005) y Coordinador General
(2006-2012) de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz.<br>
10. Judith Galarza Campos. Afectada por la desaparición forzada por
motivos políticos de su hermana Leticia Galarza, efectuada en D.F. en
México, el 5 de enero de 1978. Fundadora del Comité Independiente de
Chihuahua pro defensa de los derechos humanos y AFADEM. Actualmente
Secretaria Ejecutiva de la Federación Latinoamericana de Familiares de
Detenidos Desparecidos (Fedefam).<br>
11. Jesús Chucho García. C.I. 4.168.353. Fundación Afroamérica y La
Diáspora Africana.<br>
12. Iván González Alvarado, C.I: 7.379.876. Miembro de la Asamblea y
Consultivo Provea (1994 - 2013).<br>
13. Enrique González, C.I. 29.525.916, miembro de Provea (1995-1999),
ACCSI (2000-2001), investigador con Cecodap (2002-2003).<br>
14. Antonio J. González Plessmann, C.I. 10.866.332, Miembro del Equipo
Coordinador de Provea (1999 - 2005). Miembro Asociado de la Red de
Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz (2005 - actual).<br>
15. Martha Lía Grajales Pineda, C.I. 29.565.914. Coordinadora Programa
Educación en DDHH - Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz (2008 -2009);
integrante de la Asamblea de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz.<br>
16. Alejandra Guédez, C.I. 13.748.311. Antropóloga, productora
audiovisual e investigadora, con experiencia en comunidades indígenas y
afrodescendientes, consejos comunales, cultores populares, adolescentes
embarazadas, niños, niñas y jóvenes. <br>
17. Maryluz Guillén Rodríguez, C.I. 11.557.841. Internacionalista,
miembra de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz (1993-actualmente).
Investigadora y docente de la Escuela de DD.HH "Juan Vives Suria" de la
Defensoría del Pueblo.<br>
18. Erick Gutiérrez García, C.I. 6.976.990. Abogado, voluntario de
Clínicas Jurídicas (1987). Investigador de Provea. Secretario ejecutivo
del Capitulo venezolano de la Plataforma Interamericana de DD.HH.,
Democracia y Desarrollo (PIDDDH). Investigador y docente de la Escuela
de Derechos Humanos de la Defensoría del Pueblo.<br>
19. Héctor Gutiérrez García, C.I. 6976989. Docente e investigador de la
Escuela DD.HH Juan Vives Suria 2011-2014.<br>
20. María Lucrecia Hernández, C.I. 26.783.758, abogada y activista de
derechos humanos.<br>
21. María Paula Herrero, C.I. 14.444.733, ejecutora del área de
Comunicación e Información, Provea (1989, 1996).<br>
22. Antonio J. Marasciulo Davies, C.I. 15.394.380. Criminólogo, asesor
jurídico, miembro del equipo fundacional de la UNES (2010 hasta 2012).<br>
23. Elba Martínez Vargas. C.I. 6.914.739. Internacionalista. Gerente
del Proyecto de Educación en Derechos Humanos de la Sección Venezolana
de Amnistía Internacional (1992-1993). Miembra del equipo de Provea
(1994-1996). <br>
24. África Matute, C.I. 18.011.961. Abogada y activista de DDHH,
integrante del Programa de atención integral a personas víctimas, Red
de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz (2010 - 2013).<br>
25. Lilian Montero Rodríguez, C.I. 6.427.029. Socióloga y abogada;
promotora y defensora de los derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes.
Cecodap (1991-2007), Coordinadora del Área de Derechos Colectivos y
Difusos del Consejo Nacional de los Derechos del Niño, Niña y
Adolescente (1999-2000); Miembro de la Asamblea de la Red de Apoyo por
la Justicia y la Paz (2009-2014).<br>
26. Vicmar Morillo Gil, C. I. 7958276. Ejecutora del Área de
Información e Investigación de Provea (1993-1999/2000-2004).
Integrante de la Asamblea de la Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz. <br>
27. María Teresa Quispe, C.I. 82.026.345. Coordinadora General del
grupo de trabajo socioambiental para la Amazonía "Wataniba".<br>
28. Maureen Riveros, C.I. 6.280.434. Comunicadora y activista de DDHH,
Comité contra el olvido y por la vida. Provea (1999 - 2006).<br>
29. Ileana Ruiz, C.I. 6.084.832. Comunicadora Social y miembro de la
Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz desde 1987: Educación en derechos
humanos, comunicación popular, uso alternativo del derecho y
rehabilitación de víctimas de tortura.<br>
30. Bárbara Tineo Toro, C.I. 14.531.267. Trabajadora social y activista
de DD.HH.<br>
31. Justino Urbina Vargas, C.I. 4.233.937, Educador y Comunicador
Popular, miembro fundador de Provea y miembro activo de esa
organización (1989 y 1995).<br>
32. Belkis Urdaneta, C.I. 9.740.076. Miembro asociada de la Red de
apoyo por la justicia y la paz (1995-2014).<br>
33. Rosinés Villalobos León, C.I. 10.474.725. Integrante de la Red de
Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz, (1996 – 2005). <br>
34. Asia Villegas Poljak, C.I. 6.355.311. Dra. en Ciencias Médicas.
Activista del movimiento de mujeres, en materia de salud y derechos
sexuales y reproductivos de la mujer. Defensora especial con
competencia nacional en las áreas de salud y seguridad social de la
Defensoría del Pueblo (2003 - 2004). Coordinadora de la comisión de
derechos humanos y garantías constitucionales de la Asamblea
Constituyente (1999).</p>
</div>
</div>
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