Barquisimeto shooting

On 29 February 2020, pro-government colectivos shot at the disputed President and Speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó and his supporters in Barquisimeto, Lara state during a demonstration, leaving five injured. Motives for this attack have resulted from Guaidó being a strong opposition leader to Nicolas Maduro. Local party militants were nearing the end of a protest walk when they were corned in the Juan de Villegas de Barquisimeto parish. Hooded members of the Chávez shock group and special forces of the National Police were seen attacking the militants with guns, bottles, and stones. The attack left at least five were wounded, including a 16-year-old. Additionally, Guaidó noted that his vehicle received nine bullet wounds. The acts were part of a larger-scale scheme to intimidate and/or eliminate Guaidó.

Background

2020 in Venezuela has been characterized by the continuous political and social tumult. Activists have tried to bar Guaidó's progress in passing legislation and scoring political points against the dictatorship that plagues Venezuela. Since the beginning of January 2020, the Venezuelan special forces have used military blockades to prevent his access to the Legislative Palace; additionally, shock groups (specially trained military groups) have attacked and harangued journalists. His uncle, Juan José Márquez was beaten after returning from a controversial international tour. Guaidó explains that "Seeing the dictatorship target me and our people does not intimidate me, nor does it scare us".

Reactions

The European Union, Spain, and the Organization of American States immediately condemned the armed attack against the peaceful political demonstration on February 29, 2020. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rallied behind the Venezuelan leaders, calling for accountability of their treatment. It demanded that Venezuelans be guaranteed the exercise of the legitimate right to peaceful demonstration.


This page was last updated at 2021-11-20 03:57 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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