The Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social (OVCS) (Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict) recorded 1,963 protests in April 2019, equivalent to a daily average of 65 protests. This number represents a 47% increase in comparison to the same period last year.

The number of citizens’ protests keeps increasing throughout the entire country, in rejection of the collapse and precariousness of basic services, and in demand for political change that would restore democracy and overcome the Complex Humanitarian Emergency that worsens with each passing day.

Geographic Distribution of Protests

Citizens heeded the political call to protest and also spontaneously took to the streets to reject the collapse of basic services.

The five states with the largest number of protests were: Lara (297), Miranda (255), Trujillo (113), Zulia (110), and Tachira (100).

Conflict in April 2019 was characterized by:

  • A continuous system of repression as a policy of control and an intimidation of protesters.
  • Use of extermination groups to repress and spread terror, comprised of commands from the Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales (FAES) (Special Action Forces), Policía Nacional Bolivariana (PNB) (Bolivarian National Police), Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB) (Bolivarian National Guard), the Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM) (Directorate of Military Counterintelligence), some municipal and state police forces, as well as colectivos (paramilitary groups).
  • Between April 30 and the first week of May 2019, the repressive actions of Maduro’s regime against Venezuelans left an unfortunate toll of 7 murdered protesters, 3 of whom were minors, and at least 346 protesters injured by bullets, pellets, or tear gas inhalation.
  • Increase in combined protests. Different social and political actors have come together to demand several rights in one joint protest.
  • Increase in protests for basic services, mainly for electricity, followed by drinking water and gas.
  • Continued power shortages in the country’s inland.
  • Media siege against free access to internet, mobile phones and landlines.
  • Systematic and continuous media blockade, along with persecution and attacks on union workers. Closure of radio broadcasters, who tend to have more access in low-income areas.
  • Popular support for interim president, Juan Guaidó, during mobilizations called in favor of Operación Libertad (Operation Freedom), managing to bring together several social and political actors.
  • The most common types of protest were concentrations, street blockades, and marches.

Rights Most Demanded

Political Rights

During April, the tendency for unrest tied to the political scenario was maintained.

The OVCS recorded 677 protests demanding solely political rights, chiefly a change in government and support for the actions of interim president Juan Guaidó and the National Assembly. In addition, citizens also demanded their political rights at another 547 protests related to basic services, workers’ rights, the right to food, and the right to health.

In general, political rights were demanded individually or jointly in at least 1,224 occasions. The population has constantly demonstrated in citizen assemblies, councils, concentrations, marches, street blockades, and pot-banging protests their rejection of Nicolas Maduro, holding him responsible for the economic crisis, difficulty in accessing food and medicine, and problems with public services.

The restoration of constitutional order, rule of law, and respect for human rights have become more and more relevant for the population, who has joined the activities called by opposition parties in a progressive and peaceful manner.

On April 30, the final phase of Operación Libertad, Interim President Juan Guaidó’s political strategy, was announced to restore the constitutional order and democracy in Venezuela. This action garnered support from a number of citizens in country, political party members, military officers, and several international authorities and foreign governments. On that day, OVCS recorded protests supporting Operación Libertad in all 23 states and the District Capital.

Collapse of Basic Services

Shortages of electricity, drinking water, and domestic gas continue to be one of the major problems for Venezuelans, at the expense of their quality of life. The precariousness of basic services has negatively affected their freedom to perform daily tasks.

This past month, 506 protests solely for basic services have been recorded.

In the context of social, political or combined protests, the demand for water, electricity, and gas, were raised in 1,893 occasions.

Workers’ Rights

Though in a smaller proportion than last month, workers’ protests were still present in April, where 107 were reported, equivalent to 3 a day.

The main concerns for workers relate to the price hikes that have destroyed their salaries’ purchasing power, affecting the possibilities of adequate nutrition. The situation is further aggravated by a lack of economic policies and the impossibility of a recovery, noting that the solution to their demands could only be possible under a Government that guarantees trust and conditions required to reactivate the productive apparatus.

Workers also note their working conditions have worsened due to the country’s problems: there is no reliable transportation service to guarantee their commute, workdays have been reduced due to the electricity shortages, their children have been unable to attend school regularly, and, in some states, workdays have not been continuous due to electricity outages.

Repression, Death, and Indolence against Protests

In response to citizen organization and the reactivation of an opposition political leader, Maduro’s regime invoked a System of Repression to prevent different protests from growing and connecting.

The use of lethal force against peaceful protestors has not led to a decrease in protests in the country; Venezuelans have not stopped protesting despite strong repression, criminalization, risks, and threats. Monthly protest rates show an accelerated increase in conflict on a national level and greater citizen participation in street actions. In just the first four months of 2019, OVCS recorded over 8 thousand protests in the whole country.

During the month of April and the first week of May, lethal repression from Maduro’s regime left a death toll of 10 protestors. Between April 30 and the first week of May alone, 7 protestors were killed and at least 346 protestors were registered as injured by bullets, pellets, and tear gas inhalation.

OVCS reiterates its demands:

  • To advance towards a transition process to restore democracy, Rule of Law, and freedoms in Venezuela, by holding free and transparent elections.
  • To conduct the relevant investigations, in an independent and timely manner, in order to establish corresponding fault for the deaths of protestors or third parties in the context of protests.
  • To put an end to the order given to security forces to repress protestors, instead of ensuring their safety and protecting their lives.
  • An immediate cease to the participation of colectivos, extermination groups, and unauthorized Security Agencies to carry out public order functions.
  • To conduct the relevant investigations, in an independent and timely manner, in order to determine the parties responsible for cruel, degrading, inhumane treatment and arbitrary arrests made during protests.
  • To meet the demands of the population that sees their conditions worsen on a daily basis, to allow them the opportunity of enjoying a decent life, by exercising their profession or occupation, with the services and health systems that guarantee a quality of life.
  • To guarantee full compliance and respect for article 68 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which sets forth: “citizens have a right to protest, peacefully and without arms, without any requirements other than those established by law. The use of firearms and toxic substances is prohibited to control peaceful demonstrations. The law regulates the actions of police and security forces in the control of public order.”
  • To fulfill the mandate of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on measures and actions of public order according to the ruling of the Caracazo.