The Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social [Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict] (OVCS) released a study today that concludes that so far this year, there have been 6,369 protests throughout the country. The number – which averages out to about 35 protests per day – is an increase of 278% over the the same period last year.
Prior to this year, 2012 was the record holder for most peaceful protests in the last decade. The study found that 72% of the protests held this year were held in opposition to the Maduro government, while 28% were not overtly against the government.
The image below, taken from the report, titled “Conflictividad Social en Venezuela en el primer semester de 2014″ [Social Conflict in Venezuela in the First Semester of 2014], shows the number of protests so far by month:
The graph tracks the months of January on the far left through June in the far right. According to the graph, February saw the greatest number of protests, which have been steadily declining since their peak.
Two Killed, Seven Injured in Barquisimeto Disturbances
The La Pastoreña neighbourhood of Barquisimeto saw a deadly confrontation between residents of the residential complex and a group of squatters who have been attempting to occupy the grounds for the last several months.
According to El Universal, Leomar Torres (19) and a 15 year old minor were killed when the group they belong to – made up of approximately 120 individuals – clashed with local residents. Several months ago, the group was able to break through a perimeter wall, allowing them access to the complex’s outdoor areas.
In Venezuela, it is not uncommon for residential complexes (sometimes made up of two, three or four apartment blocks) to be surrounded by security fences.
The “invaders” were apparently scheduled to have a meeting with a representative from Mision Vividena, the government’s public housing program, to arrange the hand over of 350 homes in the area.
The group entered the residential complex at around 4:00 PM, and were met with hostility by the residents. During the confrontation, a car was torched, rocks were exchanged, and sporadic gunfire broke up, resulting in two deaths and seven injures.
Police and Students Square Off in Tachira
Students from the Universidad Nacional Experimental del Tachira took to the streets today in a show of defiance against insecurity. Throughout the day, the students were met by National Police and National Guard officers, and confrontations ensured. At least five students were injured by rubber pellets.
Marcos Fuentes, a UNET student, said:
We were protesting only against the insecurity inside the UNET camps. A young man was kidnapped, another had his truck stolen and they dumped in a botanical garden. There’s insecurity inside our own university, even though there’s 24-hour National Guard presence. We wonder, if they’re not keeping us safe, why are they here?
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