Venezuela: Opposition calls for protests July 28 /update 4

Event

Opposition supporters are planning to hold protests and block streets on Friday, July 28, despite the government ban on demonstrations. According to the United States Embassy in Caracas, the roadblocks are scheduled to start at 12:00 (local time) in the city. Specific gathering points and routes remain unclear. Expect significant traffic disruptions, particularly in Caracas, and likely additional violence.

Context

The government announced on Thursday, July 27, that all protests and demonstrations will be prohibited throughout the country between July 28, and Sunday, July 30. According to officials, anyone who organizes, instigates, or participates in a march or protest will face five to ten years in prison. The ban is intended to allow the elections for the National Constituent Assembly supported by President Nicolás Maduro to take place unimpeded. 

The opposition is calling for President Maduro to cancel the planned vote on July 30 for the constituent assembly. According to a straw poll organized by the opposition on July 16, 98 percent of the around 7.6 million participants are against the election. Tensions have also increased after President Maduro announced on Sunday, July 23, that the opposition-appointed alternative Supreme Court judges will be imprisoned. According to media reports, one judge was arrested on Saturday, July 22.

Approximately 106 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. The opposition has announced that it plans to set up a "national unity" government and name alternative judges for the pro-Maduro Supreme Court, leading to speculation that a parallel state structure is being formed.

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 the risk of arbitrary arrest, and to closely monitor developments to the situation.