Point-blank range. This was the rubber pellet shot made by a security force’s official in Táriba, Táchira state, against 16-year-old Rufo Antonio Chacón Parada, a senior student at Luis López Méndez High School, during a protest over the lack of gas the afternoon of this Monday, July 1. The young man lost both eyes and is being treated at the San Cristóbal Central Hospital.

Officials of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), the Táchira State Police, and the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) were present to suppress a protest over the lack of gas held by residents of the sector, held regularly for a year. The teenager was blinded by a discharge of rubber pellets directed to his face by officials shooting at the protesters.

In a video, broadcast by people present during the protest, you can see the moment in which the peaceful demonstration on the highway is dispersed. The video also shows the moment in which Rufo is hit by the shot. When he falls on the ground, protesters help him and also assist Rufo’s relatives to drive him to a health center. However, due to the severity of the injury, doctors could not save his eyes, both of which were hit by bullets.

Dr. Luis Ramírez, director of the Corporación de Salud del estado Táchira (Táchira State Health Corporation) confirmed the young man’s clinical condition and the loss of both eyes in a video released by Alexander Boscán, a journalist from Tachira.

According to journalists from Táchira state, bordering Colombia, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation to determine the individuals responsible for the repressive action.

The member of Parliament, Juan Carlos Palencia, announced on his social networks his rejection to “the #BRUTAL #REPRESSION by the #pnb causing the loss of both eyes of the young Rufo Velandria of 16 years for the use of rubber pellet shots to his face at very close range, while the #people of #tariba # táchira protested peacefully over the lack of gas ”.

The parliamentarian held the GNP responsible for the action and demanded the opening of an investigation.

At least 4 teenagers have died as a result of the repressive action of security forces against demonstrations in the last three months. The most recent deaths are those of Yonder Villasmil (15), who died on May 2 from a gunshot wound allegedly fired by a GNB during a protest in Mérida State. On April 30 during the civilian-military uprising led by Interin President Juan Guaidó, Joifre Hernández Vásquez (14) and Josner Graterol (16) died from gunshot wounds in Caracas and Aragua, respectively.

Translation of tweet by @flakagoch added to the article

Injured by rubber pellets in the face high school student participating in protest for lack of gas #Tariba #Tachira @lorearraiz @VPITV @lanacionweb