Venezuela: Major social unrest continues May 2-3 /update 2

Event

Further anti-government protests called for by the opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) are to be anticipated on Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3, and in the following days, particularly in the capital city of Caracas. The ongoing wave of protests, launched in early April, remains marred by often deadly clashes with security forces and pro-government militias. Tuesday’s protest is being organized to denounce the May 1 announcement by President Nicolás Maduro of the impending formation of a “citizens’ congress” to rewrite the country’s constitution. The army has begun blocking streets in the capital to prevent large-scale gatherings, as they have done on numerous occasions over the past month; at least 30 stations of the Caracas metro system have also been closed.

The opposition fears any new constitution drawn up under the Maduro administration would likely move the country further towards a dictatorship. A new constitution would almost certainly entail the indefinite postponement of gubernatorial and local elections initially scheduled for late 2016, as well general elections currently scheduled for 2018.

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 29 people have been killed in protests and associated rioting; more than 400 people have been injured and nearly 1300 arrested.

Demonstrators are denouncing a wide range of grievances as well as demanding elections be held. 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 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.