On March 29 the Supreme court of Venezuela, in accordance with President Nicolas Maduro, announced it would be taking the powers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
The actions taken by President Maduro have the people of Venezuela claiming dictatorship. Three days after the decision was made it was overturned but the people of Venezuela demanded re election and the removal of Maduro. Since the announcement there has been dozens of anti-government protests in the streets of Venezuela, some of which have turned violent. “The majority of the youths that have died or better said that have been murdered are approximately 25 years of age,” said Claudia Macero in Spanish, a reporter for Vente Venezuela a liberal political organization. “Venezuela over here is one of the most dangerous in the world.” There has been an estimated 39 deaths since the protests have started and there are new reports everyday. “The situation in Venezuela is a great break and social rebellion before a corrupt and oppressive regime that has been ruling for 18 years in the country,” photographer Mace Pena said in Spanish. “The main objective is for Maduro to step down from power, to restore government powers to call for general elections.” Along with turmoil with their government, Venezuela is also dealing with economic problems. According to the International Monetary Fund, it has predicted that inflation would close at 1,600 percent at the end of this year. President Maduro has raised the minimum wage three times just in this year. In April, Maduro announced that Venezuela would be pulling out from the Organization of American States after accusing them of interfering with their internal affairs. Recently, President Maduro has announced the possibility of a new assembly where he would rewrite the constitution of Venezuela. Henrique Capriles, the opposition leader who also ran against Maduro in the presidential election, has since been banned from any political work for 15 years. Demonstrators continue to march for general election and the release of arrested protesters. President Maduro has ordered that all demonstrators be sent to a military base to face military court. “Citizens protest peacefully through the streets of many cities and towns but are always repressed by the National Guard, National Police and Paramilitary Regime groups,” Pena said. Maduro is calling the protest acts of terrorism and the reason behind the increase in military presents. With tight security, Venezuela has also seen restrictions on media which has resulted in many Venezuelans documenting and sharing their own news. Venezuela’s government has accused foreign media of amplifying their problems. “Of course, this has also caused a great deal of humiliation and aggressiveness towards the journalist of course, the issue with the starvation crisis has not been resolved [as well],” Macero said. Venezuelans are still struggling with food shortage and medicine supplies. Since 2014, Venezuela has seen an increase in police officers around bakeries and stores because of the shortage. Food prices have become too expensive for the common household to afford in Venezuela. Turmoil, corruption, and food shortage has Venezuela reaching a breaking point in their countries history. “I believe that today what the Venezuelans might want to ask, to demand the people who are outside of the country, is to keep their eyes on Venezuela and keep the pressure on what happens here because you are our voice, our eyes and that could guarantee in great measure that this advances,” Macero said.
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January 2018
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