Venezuela: Opposition protest planned in Caracas May 16 /update 7

Event

The political opposition group Broad Front for a Free Venezuela (Frente Amplio Venezuela Libre; FAVL) is planning to hold a march in Caracas on Wednesday, May 16. Demonstrators are expected to gather at the Plaza Brion de Chacaito at 09:00 (local time) before marching to the Organization of American States (OAS) office in the Las Mercedes neighborhood. Opposition leaders are also calling for additional demonstrations to be held on Monday, May 21, through Friday, May 25, following the presidential election on Sunday, May 20. Further election-related rallies are possible in the days leading up to the vote. A heightened security presence, clashes between protesters and police, and localized transportation disruptions are expected around any protests that do occur.

Context

FAVL is an umbrella group that includes the opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) and various unions, business groups, student and teacher organizations, and religious groups. Its leaders have organized a number of nationwide demonstrations to denounce the upcoming presidential election since March 2018. Opposition leaders are calling the upcoming vote an “electoral farce” and claim that the government will commit massive fraud to ensure Nicolás Maduro will be reelected.

Advice

Individuals in Venezuela are advised to strictly avoid all protests and political events due to the likelihood of violence and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate.