Venezuela: Hundreds of thousands of people protest in Caracas May 20 /update 1

Event

According to media reports, hundreds of thousands of people are participating in protests against the government of President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, May 20. Demonstrators are planning to gather at the Ministry of the Interior, Justice, and Peace (MRIJP) in central Caracas. Supporters of President Maduro are also gathering in the capital city. Expect increased security measures and significant traffic disruptions. Violent clashes between security forces and protesters is likely.

Context

This will be the 50th day of anti-government protests in the country. Demonstrations have regularly been marked with violence - including by police and pro-government gangs (“colectivos”) who have used live ammunition as well as tear gas and other anti-riot equipment to forcibly disperse crowds - as well as roadblocks erected by both police and demonstrators. Between 42 and 46 people have reportedly been killed (as of May 17) according to different sources.

On Tuesday, May 16, President Nicolás Maduro extended the ongoing state of emergency by an additional 60 days. This measure, which the government extra powers and suspends various constitutional rights, was first declared in March 2016 and has been renewed seven times since.

Demonstrators are denouncing a wide range of grievances as well as demanding elections be held. Venezuela has been devastated by a long series of progressively worsening 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 and other Venezuelan cities are advised to limit movements, to strictly avoid all protests and roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence, and to closely monitor the situation.