Venezuela: Protests following deadly fire in Valencia March 28

Event

A fire at a police detention center in the city of Valencia (Carabobo state) killed 68 people, mostly inmates, on Wednesday, March 28. Police then clashed with relatives of the deceased who had gathered outside the facility, eventually using tear gas to disperse the crowd. The fire reportedly started after inmates set fire to mattresses in an attempt to break out of the center. Further associated protests are possible in Valencia and elsewhere in the country in the coming days.

Context

Prison riots are relatively common in Venezuela due to very poor conditions - such as insecurity and overcrowding - which have worsened amid ongoing national sociopolitical and economic crises.

Advice

Individuals in Valencia, and Venezuela more generally, are advised to systematically avoid all protests due to the high risk of associated violence.