Venezuela: Anti-government protesters clash with police in Caracas May 1 /update 1

Event

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital city of Caracas on Monday, May 1. Anti-government protesters clashed with police officers in some areas of the city, including on a major highway on the northern edge of the city with the Avila Mountain and in the Chacao area. Security forces fired tear gas at the demonstrators, who were throwing stones and petrol bombs. Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro also rallied in central Caracas. Additional protests are likely in the coming days and further violence is to be expected.

President Maduro announced on Sunday, April 30, that the countrywide minimum wage will be increased by 60 percent as nationwide inflation continues to balloon, bringing wages up to less than USD 50 (200,000 bolivars) a month. On Monday, Maduro called for the formation of a citizens congress that would develop a new constitution in a bid to address the deteriorating situation.

Context

The current wave of protests has virtually paralyzed Caracas, with many schools closed amid the violence and roads blocked by protesters and government forces. At least 28 people have been killed in clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters, according to prosecutors. More than 400 people have been injured, and nearly 1,300 arrested.

Demonstrators are denouncing a wide range of grievances as well as demanding elections, including the gubernatorial elections initially scheduled for December 2016 as well as general elections currently slated to be held in 2018. Venezuela has been devastated by a long series of crises affecting the restive country in recent months and years, including a breakdown of the democratic system, major shortages of gasoline, medications, food, and other basic necessities, an alarming spike in rates of violent crime, massive inflation and economic recession, and a resurgence of disease. 

Advice

Individuals in Caracas are advised to limit movements, to strictly avoid all protests and roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence, and to closely monitor the situation.