Venezuela: Opposition marks 100 days of protest July 9 /update 1

Event

Demonstrations against the government of President Nicolás Maduro entered their 100th day on Sunday, July 9, with thousands of people taking to the streets in support of the ongoing movement against Maduro. Additional protests occurred on Monday, July 10, in Caracas and other major cities. A teenaged demonstrator was shot and killed at a roadblock in Valencia, Caraboo state; the circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear. In Caracas, opposition supporters blocked streets for ten hours. Additional protests are likely in the coming days and weeks.

Also on Monday, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos called for the Maduro government to delay the planned constituent elections planned for July 30. Santos voiced support for the opposition and for their calls to hold an unofficial popular poll to determine overall support for the creation of the new constituent assembly.

A strike by prosecutors may also be held pending a ruling by the pro-government Supreme Court of Justice. The body is currently debating whether or not to remove Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega from her position. Ortega, a former Maduro supporter, has become a vocal critic of the regime. Ortega said that she will not recognize the ruling of the court because she considers it illegitimate. Venezuelan prosecutors announced on July 10 that they will go on strike or take legal action if Ortega is removed.

Context

At least 91 people have been killed and 1500 more injured due to social unrest since the beginning of the current wave of anti-government protests began in early April of this year. Anti-government supporters may be increasing their activity since Leopoldo Lopez, a prominent opposition leader, was released from a military prison on July 8 to serve the remainder of his 14-year sentence under house arrest. On July 3, Venezuelan opposition parties called for an unofficial poll to take place on Sunday, July 16, to determine whether citizens wish presidential elections to move forward in late 2018. Additionally, the poll will question whether the armed forces should "restore constitutional order," understood by many as a call for a coup d'état against the Maduro regime.

Violent and often deadly clashes between protesters and security forces continue to occur on a near-daily basis in Venezuela, most notably in the capital city of Caracas. The vast majority of the victims have been killed by security forces, who have repeatedly been accused of excessive use of force, and the situation continues to escalate with no resolution in sight. Pro-government militias are also reportedly behind some of the violence.

These developments follow on 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. Protesters regularly demand early elections, the resignation of President Maduro, the release of political prisoners, and humanitarian assistance from the government.

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.