An interesting clip popped up this morning. It’s from VTV (The state-run television network), and it shows a reporter at a beach, apparently trying to show viewers that despite the marches, carnaval is still going on and people are still at the beach. The clip shows a man being interviewed by a reporter.
Here is my translation of what was said in the clip:
Rafael: Ok, I’m from here, from [inaudible]. My name is Rafael Asturillo, I.D. number 16478682. I’m going to tell you something. Here, in Lecheria… yesterday, I went to Lecheria yesterday, and it’s… well, I can’t explain what it’s like. They’re rude, they’re really [boorish]. I went with my wife and they almost broke my car, they almost broke everything. And I know they’re the ones who are blocking the roads.
I thanked God, the President of the Republic, Chavez – first of all – and now Nicolas Maduro, thank you Maduro for not calling us out onto the streets! I’m a motorizado [literally, “motorized”, as in “a member of a colectivo armado”]. Thank you Maduro, for not calling us out onto the streets! Because if he ever does call us out onto the street, we’re going to take over Lecheria completely, and we’re going to end them! We’re going to end Lecheria! I’m telling you the truth. I’m angry with those people. I’m angry. I’m from Anzoategui, I live in [Boyaca?, then inaudible].
Reporter: For the people who say that carnaval isn’t happening, what can you say to them?
Rafael: Man, look! I want you to film this. Look over there! Look. I’ve been here with her twice already… That little group over there, let them lock themselves up there. There’s siete pela gatos [roughly, “a handful of idiots’] in Lecheria. Seven in one part, seven in another part, and seven in [inaudible]. I don’t know what the governor is waiting for. He [has to give the order] to get those people out of there.
Reporter: Thank you very much. The voice of the people this morning is being heard here this morning…
Forget which side of this you’re on, and whether or not you believe what Rafael says in the clip for just a minute.
My point is this: true or not, Rafael’s words in the video serve to cement the opposition’s worst fears regarding the existence of the colectivos armados and their role vis-a-vis the Venezuelan government. They also highlight the fear/anger/hatred that exists for the other side within each camp.
As an irregular force of armed civilians with no military training, formal chains of command and/or responsibility, the colectivos armados have been blamed for some of the worst violence seen during these protests. They are seen by opposition supporters as barbarians on motorcycles, ruthless and violent. In a country where you’ve got a 92% chance of never being punished for committing murder, the threat of violence from anonymous mobs of people with guns is viscerally frightening.
I’m not sure what PSUV supporters might make of this video. I suspect that they might distance themselves from Rafael, and they might attempt to clarify that the government does not back the colectivos armados, and that it does not condone the use of violence. It is clear that the reporter was at least slightly taken back by Rafael’s rant, as she skillfully tried to return attention to the issue of carnaval by asking Rafael what he wanted to say to those who believed carnaval was “cancelled” this year.
For reference, here is a picture of a group of people on motorcycles, like the one Rafael claims to belong to, alongside some National Guard troops:
And here are a few videos of the colectivos armados in action:
From February 19th, in Caracas:
From the same night, also in Caracas:
And here is a video of a colectivo armado (also known as Tupamaros) breaking into an apartment complex in Merida:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKRhMP9ON3U
To be perfectly clear, I’m not suggesting that Rafael’s words are representative of the PSUV supporters in general, or that they should be taken at face value as true. But given the nature of the protests, and considering the fact that the colectivos armados have been seen in action already, I don’t believe they should be entirely dismissed as the ramblings of an angry man trying to enjoy his carnaval.
In Venezuela 