Protests against Nicolás Maduro: Difference between revisions

|1={{center|{{flatlist|{{small|Opposition march in [[Caracas]] on 12 February 2014,; Protestersprotesters perched on a statue of [[Simón Bolívar]] in May 2014,; Aa woman wearing a banner reading ''Never Forget'' on the first anniversary of protests on 12 February 2015,; Millionsthousands marching in Caracas on 26 October 2016,; Thethe [[Mother of All Marches]] on 19 April 2017.}}}}}}

'''[[Resistencia (Venezuela)|Resistencia]]'''<br />{{small|(built street barricades called "guarimbas")}}<br />

| howmany1 = Hundreds of thousands to over 1 millionof opposition protesters<ref>{{cite news|last = Lopez |first=Linette|title=Why The United States Has Done Nothing About Venezuela | url = http://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-us-wont-touch-venezuela-2014-4 |access-date= 12 April 2014|newspaper=Business Insider|date = 11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Protesters in Venezuela Press Government| url = https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304834704579401612202743396 | access-date =12 April 2014|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=23 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Venezuelans protest en masse in rival rallies|url= http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/02/24/venezuelans-protest-en-masse-in-rival-rallies/ | access-date =12 April 2014|newspaper= Borneo Post |date=24 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="PAPmillion">{{cite news|last1=Martín|first1=Karina|title=Despite Government Obstacles, Over a Million Venezuelans March on Caracas|url=https://panampost.com/karina-martin/2016/09/01/despite-government-obstacles-over-a-million-venezuelans-march-on-caracas/|access-date=2 September 2016|agency=[[PanAm Post]]|date=1 September 2016|archive-date=3 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903170220/http://panampost.com/karina-martin/2016/09/01/despite-government-obstacles-over-a-million-venezuelans-march-on-caracas/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{bullet}}{{cite news|title=Venezuela Investigating Death of Protester as Unrest Rises |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuela-investigating-death-protester-unrest-rises-39821804 |access-date=14 June 2016 |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=13 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613201843/http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuela-investigating-death-protester-unrest-rises-39821804 |archive-date=13 June 2016 }}<br />

In 2014, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil insurrection began in [[Venezuela]] due to the country's high levels of urban violence, [[inflation]], and chronic shortages of basic goods and services.<ref>{{cite news|title= Venezuela's Maduro says 2013 annual inflation was 56.2 pct|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/venezuela-inflation-annual-idUSL2N0K90V020131230|access-date= 19 January 2014|newspaper= Reuters|date= 30 December 2013|archive-date= 16 January 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116190842/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/30/venezuela-inflation-annual-idUSL2N0K90V020131230|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Venezuela Inflation Hits 16-Year High as Shortages Rise|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-07/venezuela-inflation-hits-16-year-high-as-shortages-rise.html |access-date=16 February 2014|newspaper= Bloomberg|date= 7 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/05/venezuela-is-falling-apart/481755/|title=Venezuela Is Falling Apart|last=Toro|first=Moisés Naím, Francisco|date=2016-05-12|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref> Explanations for these worsening conditions vary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.truthdig.com/articles/why-venezuela-reporting-is-so-bad/|title=How Biased Western Reportage Has Harmed Venezuela|website=Truthdig: Expert Reporting, Current News, Provocative Columnists|date=5 July 2018 |access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref> with analysis blaming strict price controls,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2092rank.html|title=Inflation rate (consumer prices)|work=[[CIA World Factbook]]|access-date=26 February 2014|archive-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517135518/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2092rank.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="economist.com">{{cite news|url = http://www.economist.com/node/21526365 |access-date=23 February 2014|title=Venezuela's economy: Medieval policies|newspaper = [[The Economist]]}}</ref> andalongside long-term, widespread [[political corruption]] resulting in the under-funding of basic government services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/07/venezuela-maduro-helicopter-attack-psuv-extractivism-oil|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302110257/https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/07/venezuela-maduro-helicopter-attack-psuv-extractivism-oil|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-03-02|title=Being Honest About Venezuela|date=2019-03-02|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref> While protests first occurred in January, after the murder of actress and former [[Miss Venezuela]] [[Mónica Spear]],<ref name="MostDangerous">{{cite web| url= http://www.channel4.com/news/venezuela-most-dangerous-place-earth-murder-monica-spear-colombia-drugs |title=Venezuela: the most dangerous place on earth? |publisher=Channel 4 |date= 8 January 2014 | access-date =21 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="WhatTheHeck">{{cite web| url = http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-18/what-the-heck-is-going-on-in-venezuela-could-the-maduro-regime-fall | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140219200335/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-18/what-the-heck-is-going-on-in-venezuela-could-the-maduro-regime-fall | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 February 2014 |title=What the Heck Is Going on in Venezuela? (Could the Maduro Regime Fall?) |publisher=Business week |date= 18 February 2014 |access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref> [[2014 Venezuelan protests|the 2014 protests]] against [[Nicolás Maduro]] began in earnest that February following the attempted rape of a student<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/these-countries-have-the-fastest-shrinking-populations-in-the-world/ss-AAHQgjP?li=BBnbcA1#image=21|title=These countries have the fastest-shrinking populations in the world|website=www.msn.com|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> on a university campus in [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]]. Subsequent arrests and killings of student protesters spurred their expansion to neighboring cities and the involvement of opposition leaders.<ref name="AttemptedRape" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26477526|title=San Cristobal: The birthplace of Venezuela's protests|work=BBC News|date=7 March 2014|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> The year's early months were characterized by large demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and government forces that resulted in nearly 4,000 arrests and 43 deaths,<ref name="Faria" /><ref name="Usborne" /><ref name="FORO2016arrest" /> including both supporters and opponents of the government.<ref>"A total of 42 people, both supporters and opponents of the government, have died in the protest-related violence which followed." [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27715622 "Venezuela: Leopoldo Lopez must stand trial, judge rules"] by [[BBC]] News.</ref> Toward the end of 2014, and into 2015, continued shortages and low oil prices caused renewed protesting.<ref name="SVCOprotest2">{{cite news|title=En 2014 se registraron 9.286 protestas, cifra inédita en Venezuela|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2015/01/19/en-2014-se-registraron-9-286-protestas-cifra-inedita-en-venezuela/|access-date=25 January 2015|agency=La Patilla|date=19 January 2015}}</ref>

By 2016, protests occurred following the controversy surrounding the [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election]]s as well as the incidents surrounding the [[Presidency of Nicolás Maduro#Recall referendum|2016 recall referendum]]. On 1 September 2016, one of the largest demonstration of the protests occurred, with over 1 million Venezuelans, or over 3% of the entire nation's population, gathered to demand a recall election against [[Nicolás Maduro|President Maduro]], with the event being described as the "largest demonstration in the history of Venezuela".<ref name="PAPmillion" /> Following the suspension of the recall referendum by the government-leaning [[National Electoral Council (Venezuela)|National Electoral Council (CNE)]] on 21 October 2016, the opposition organized another protest which was held on 26 October 2016, with overhundreds of thousands participating while the opposition said 1.2 million Venezuelans participatingparticipated.<ref name="AMBITO">{{cite news |title=ConNationwide multitudinariasprotests marchas,against oposiciónMaduro venezolanain presionóVenezuela a– MaduroDW para– que10/26/2016 reactive referendo|url=httphttps://www.ambitodw.com/860181en/venezuelan-conprotesters-multitudinariasrally-marchasagainst-oposicion-venezolana-presionopresident-maduro/a-maduro-para-que-reactive-referendo36164729 |access-date=274 OctoberNovember 2023 2016|work=[[ÁmbitoDeutsche FinancieroWelle]] |date=26 October 2016 |language=en}}</ref> After some of the largest protests occurred in a late-2016, Vatican-mediated dialogue between the opposition and government was attempted and ultimately failed in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper = [[Deutsche Welle]] |title = Venezuela's opposition walks away from Vatican-backed talks |url = http://www.dw.com/en/venezuelas-opposition-walks-away-from-vatican-backed-talks/a-36672319 |access-date = 9 December 2016 |date = 7 December 2016 }}</ref><ref name="LAHT19jan2017">{{cite news |title = Latin American Herald Tribune - After Venezuela Government Fails to Honor Commitments, Vatican Pulls Out of Dialogue It Sponsored |url = http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2429464&CategoryId=10717 |access-date = 20 January 2017 |work = [[Latin American Herald Tribune]] |date = 19 January 2017 |archive-date = 25 February 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210225211616/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2429464&CategoryId=10717 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Concentration on protests subsided in the first months of 2017 until the [[2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis]] occurred when the pro-government [[Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Venezuela)|Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela]] attempted to assume the powers of the opposition-led National Assembly and removed their immunity, though the move was reversed days later, demonstrations grew "into the most combative since a wave of unrest in 2014".<ref>{{cite news |title = Venezuela accused of 'self-coup' after Supreme Court shuts down National Assembly |url = http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/225180/venezuela-accused-of-%E2%80%98selfcoup%E2%80%99-after-supreme-court-shuts-down-national-assembly |access-date = 1 April 2017 |work = [[Buenos Aires Herald]] |date = 31 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Venezuela's Descent Into Dictatorship |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/31/opinion/venezuelas-descent-into-dictatorship.html?_r=0 |access-date = 1 April 2017 |work = The New York Times |date = 31 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/sthamerica/2017/04/01/venezuela-clashes--self-inflicted-coup---oas.html |title = Venezuela clashes 'self-inflicted coup': OAS |access-date = 1 April 2017 |publisher = [[Sky News Australia]] |date = 1 April 2017 |archive-date = 25 February 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210225042527/https://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/sthamerica/2017/04/01/venezuela-clashes--self-inflicted-coup---oas.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="ABC17grown">{{cite news|last1=Goodman|first1=Joshua|title=Venezuela's Maduro blasts foe for chemical attack comments|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelas-maduro-blasts-foe-chemical-attack-comments-46695565|access-date=10 April 2017|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=9 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

During the [[2017 Venezuelan protests]], the [[Mother of all Protests]] involved from 2.5 million to 6 million protesters.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} The [[2019 Venezuelan protests|2019 protests]] began in early January after the National Assembly declared the May 2018 presidential elections invalid and declared [[Juan Guaidó]] acting president, resulting in a [[2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis|presidential crisis]]. The majority of protests have been peaceful, consisting of demonstrations, [[sit-ins]], and [[hunger strikes]],<ref name="SVCOprotestINFO">{{cite news|title=Protestas aumentan 278% en primer semestre 2014|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|access-date=17 July 2014|agency=La Patilla|date=17 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Universitarios del Táchira levantaron la huelga de hambre|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140715/universitarios-del-tachira-levantaron-la-huelga-de-hambre|access-date=16 July 2014|agency=El Universal|date=15 July 2014}}</ref> although small groups of protesters have been responsible for attacks on public property, such as government buildings and public transportation. Erecting improvised street barricades, dubbed ''[[Guarimba|guarimbas]]'', were a controversial form of protest in 2014.<ref name="BBCStreetblockades" /><ref name="Cawthorne">{{cite news|last1=Cawthorne|first1=Andrew|last2=Ore|first2=Diego|title=Chilean is first foreign fatality in Venezuela unrest|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA291IU20140311|work=Reuters|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194615/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/11/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA291IU20140311|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CEPR">{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Jake|title=Venezuela: Who Are They and How Did They Die?|url=http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/the-americas-blog/venezuela-who-are-they-and-how-did-they-die-new|publisher=[[Center for Economic and Policy Research]]|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-date=23 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323152844/http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/the-americas-blog/venezuela-who-are-they-and-how-did-they-die-new|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sanchez|first=Nora|title=Murió mujer en una barricada en Mérida|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/protestas-en-venezuela/140310/murio-mujer-en-una-barricada-en-merida|newspaper=El Universal|access-date=6 April 2014}}</ref> ThoughAlthough initially protests were mainly performed by the middle and upper classes,<ref name="Neuman1" /> lower class Venezuelans quickly became involved as the situation in Venezuela deteriorated.<ref name="GUARD16may2016">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/19/venezuela-unrest-nicolas-maduro-protests|title=President says Venezuela won't be next to fall, but he may not have a choice|date=19 May 2016|work=the Guardian|agency=[[The Guardian]]|last1=Watts|first1=Jonathan|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> [[Nicolas Maduro]]'s government characterized the protests as an undemocratic [[coup d'etat]] attempt,<ref name="Kurmanaev" /> which was orchestrated by "[[Fascist (insult)|fascist]]" opposition leaders and the [[United States]];,<ref name="Milne">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|title=Venezuela protests are sign that US wants our oil, says Nicolás Maduro|last=Milne|first=Seumas|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref> blaming [[capitalism]] and [[speculation]] for causing high inflation rates and goods scarcities as part of an "economic war" being waged on his government.<ref name="NYTmaduro">Nicolas Maduro. 1 April 2014. [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/opinion/venezuela-a-call-for-peace.html?_r=0 Venezuela: A Call for Peace]. ''The New York Times.'' Retrieved: 3 April 2014.</ref><ref name="Edition.cnn.com">{{cite web|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/20/world/americas/venezuela-economy-decree-powers/ |title=Decree powers widen Venezuelan president's economic war | work = CNN | date= 20 November 2013 |access-date= 21 February 2014}}</ref> Although Maduro, a former [[trade union]] leader, says he supports peaceful protesting,<ref name="comision">{{cite web | urldate=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Maduro-pedira-AN-comision-verdad_0_361164009.html23 |February 2014 |title=Maduro pedirá a la AN una "comisión de la verdad | publisherurl=Elhttp://www.el-Nacional | date=23 February 2014 | accessnacional.com/politica/Maduro-date=17 July 2014pedira-AN-comision-verdad_0_361164009.html | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727081013/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Maduro-pedira-AN-comision-verdad_0_361164009.html | archive-date=27 July 2014 |access-date=17 July 2014 |website=El Nacional |df=dmy-all }}</ref> the Venezuelan government has been widely condemned for its handling of the protests. Venezuelan authorities have reportedly gone beyond the use of rubber pellets and tear gas to instances of live ammunition use and torture of arrested protesters, according to organizations like [[Amnesty International]]<ref name="AIabuses" /> and [[Human Rights Watch]],<ref name="AIabuses" /><ref name="HRWpfp">{{cite web|title=Punished for Protesting|url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/venezuela0514_reportcover_web.pdf|publisher=Human Rights Watch|access-date=6 May 2014|archive-date=13 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513223338/http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/venezuela0514_reportcover_web.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the [[United Nations]] has accused the Venezuelan government of [[political prisoner|politically motivated]] arrests,<ref name="ENoct8">{{cite news|title=ONU insta a la inmediata liberación de Leopoldo López |url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/ONU-inmediata-liberacion-Leopoldo-Lopez_0_497350352.html |access-date=9 October 2014 |agency=El Nacional |date=8 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009044857/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/ONU-inmediata-liberacion-Leopoldo-Lopez_0_497350352.html |archive-date= 9 October 2014 }}</ref><ref name="ENoct12">{{cite news|title=ONU pide al gobierno liberación inmediata de Daniel Ceballos|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/ONU-liberacion-inmediata-Daniel-Ceballos_0_499750159.html|access-date=13 October 2014|agency=El Nacional|date=12 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013060728/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/ONU-liberacion-inmediata-Daniel-Ceballos_0_499750159.html|archive-date=13 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="UN22oct">{{cite web|title=Venezuela: UN rights chief calls for immediate release of opposition leader, politicians|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49120#.VEc4WZPF8Q5|website=United Nations|date = 20 October 2014|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref> has accused the Venezuelan government of [[political prisoner|politically motivated]] arrests, most notably former [[Chacao, Venezuela|Chacao]] mayor and leader of [[Popular Will]], [[Leopoldo Lopez]], who has used the controversial charges of murder and inciting violence against him to protest the government's "criminalization of dissent.".<ref name="NYTlopez">{{cite news| last =Lopez| first =Leopoldo| title =Venezuela's Failing State| work =The New York Times| date =25 March 2014| url =https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/opinion/venezuelas-failing-state.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0 }}</ref><ref name="reuters_arrests">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA2J02Y20140320|title=Venezuela arrests one opposition mayor, jails another|newspaper=Reuters|date=20 March 2014|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924195013/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/20/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA2J02Y20140320|url-status=live}}</ref> Other controversies reported during the protests include [[Censorship in Venezuela|media censorship]] and violence by pro-government militant groups known as ''[[Colectivo (Venezuela)|colectivos]]''.

On 27 September 2018, the United States government declared new sanctions on individuals in Venezuelan government. They included Maduro's wife [[Cilia Flores]], Vice President [[Delcy Rodriguez]], Minister of Communications [[Jorge Rodríguez (Venezuelan politician)|Jorge Rodriguez]] and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/trump-venezuelan-socialist-president-easily-toppled|title=Trump: Venezuelan Socialist President Easily Toppled &#124; Voice of America - English|website=www.voanews.com}}</ref> On 27 September 2018, the [[UN Human Rights Council]] adopted a resolution for the first time on [[Human rights in Venezuela|human rights]] abuses in Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/americas/venezuela|title=Venezuela &#124; Country Page &#124; World &#124; Human Rights Watch|website=www.hrw.org}}</ref> 11 Latin American countries proposed the resolution including [[Mexico]], Canada and Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/27/venezuela-landmark-un-rights-council-resolution|title=Venezuela: Landmark UN Rights Council Resolution|date=27 September 2018|website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> On 23 January 2019, ''[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]]'' revealed a protest count, showing over 50,000 registered protests in Venezuela since 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/venezuela/50-000-protestas-en-la-era-maduro-en-venezuela-317896&usg=AOvVaw1q6rSYQQIMPIoQAv4aROma|title=En Venezuela se han dado cerca de 50.000 protestas en la era Maduro|website=El Tiempo|language=es|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> In 2020, organized protests against Maduro had largely subsided, especially due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=UN rights experts report a rise of efforts in Venezuela to curtail democracy ahead of 2024 election |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/un-rights-experts-report-a-rise-of-efforts-in-venezuela-to-curtail-democracy-ahead-of-2024-election |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=[[PBS NewsHour]] |language=en-us}}</ref>

[[File:FILMADOSGrupos ASESINOSpro-gubernamentales DEdisparando GENESISdurante CARMONA -protestas GUERRAen CIVILValencia, ENVenezuela VENEZUELA2014.webm|290px|thumb|left|Pro-government colectivos fire upon a protest [[Génesis Carmona]] was participating in]]

[[File:Lilian Tintori Brazil Senate.jpg|upright=1.1364|thumbnail|right|[[Lilian Tintori]] alongside Brazilian senators presenting a photo of Geraldine Moreno, who was killed after being shot in the face multiple times by Venezuelan authorities armed with [[birdshot]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Geraldine Moreno: Venezuelan Soldiers Mangled Her Face|url=http://panampost.com/panam-staff/2015/02/11/geraldine-moreno-venezuelan-soldiers-mangled-her-face/|access-date=11 September 2015|agency=[[PanAm Post]]|date=11 February 2015|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906224838/https://panampost.com/panam-staff/2015/02/11/geraldine-moreno-venezuelan-soldiers-mangled-her-face/|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

[[File:Venezuelan tear gas cannisters.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Several tear gas canisters produced by CAVIM fired in 2017. Fabrication and expiration dates aren'tare not shown.]]

[[File:Venezuela National Guard Headlock.jpg|upright=1.1364|thumbnail|right|[[Venezuelan National Guard|National Guard]]sman holding a protester in a [[Grappling hold#Other|headlock]].]]

Amnesty International "received reports from detainees who were forced to spend hours on their knees or feet in detention centers". Amnesty International also reported that a student was forced at gunpoint by plainclothes officers to sign a confession to acts he did not commit where his mother explained that “They told him that they would kill him if he didn’t sign it, ... He started to cry, but he wouldn’t sign it. They then wrapped him in foam sheets and started to hit him with rods and a fire extinguisher. Later, they doused him with gasoline, stating that they would then have evidence to charge him.” Amnesty International said that the Human Rights Center at the Andres Bello Catholic University had reported that, “There are two cases that involved electric shocks, two cases that involved pepper gas and another two cases where they were doused with gasoline,” she said. “We’ve found there to be systematic conduct on the part of the state to inflict inhumane treatment on detainees because of similar reports from different days and detention centers.”<ref name=AIabuses>{{cite news|title=Amnesty Reports Dozens of Venezuela Torture Accounts|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-01/amnesty-reports-dozens-of-venezuela-torture-accounts.html|access-date=13 April 2014|newspaper=Bloomberg}}</ref>[[File:UN_-_Venezuela_Continued_impunity_amid_dismal_human_rights_situation.webm|alt=|left|thumb|270x270px|[[High Commissioner for Human Rights|United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] [[Zeid Raad Al Hussein]] and relatives of those killed during protests discuss the crisis in Venezuela]]''The New York Times'' reported that the Penal Forum said that abuses are "continuous and systematic" and that Venezuelan authorities were "widely accused of beating detainees, often severely, with many people saying the security forces then robbed them, stealing cellphones, money and jewelry". In one case, a group of men said that when they were leaving a protest since it turned violent, "soldiers surrounded the car, broke the windows and tossed a tear gas canister inside". A man then said that a soldier "fired a shotgun at him at close range" while in the vehicle. The men were then "pulled from the car and beaten viciously" then one soldier "smashed their hands with the butt of his shotgun, telling them it was punishment for protesters’ throwing rocks." The vehicle was then set on fire. One protester said that while detained, soldiers "kicked him over and over again." The protesters he was with "were handcuffed together, threatened with an attack dog, made to crouch for long periods, pepper sprayed and beaten." The protester then said that he was "hit so hard on the head with a soldier’s helmet that he heard it crack". A woman also said she was with her daughter when "they were swept up by National Guard soldiers, taken with six other women to a military post and handed over to female soldiers". The women then said that "soldiers beat them, kicked them and threatened to kill them". The women also said that soldiers threatened to rape them, cut their hair and "were released only after being made to sign a paper stating that they had not been mistreated."<ref name="NYscars" />

Throughout the protests, a common tactic that has divided opinions among Venezuelans and the anti-government opposition has been erecting burning street barricades, colloquially known as ''guarimbas''. Street barricades, which stop vehicles from passing, violate the 50th article of the constitution of Venezuela, which grants the right of free transit.<ref>[[s:Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela/Title 3#16]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsj.gov.ve/legislacion/constitucion1999.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417173551/http://www.tsj.gov.ve/legislacion/constitucion1999.htm |archive-date=17 April 2014 }}</ref> Initially, these barricades consisted of piles of trash and cardboard set on fire at night, and were easily removed by Venezuelan security forces. ''Guarimbas'' have since evolved into "fortress-like structures" of bricks, mattresses, wooden planks and barbed wire guarded by protesters, who "have to resort to guerrilla-style tactics to get a response from the government of President Nicolas Maduro". However, their use is controversial. Critics claim ''guarimbas'', which are primarily erected in residential areas, victimize local residents and businesses and have little political impact.<ref name=BBCStreetblockades>{{cite news|title=Street blockades divide opinion in Venezuela|work=BBC News|date=27 February 2014|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26366809|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> Many opposition protesters argue that ''guarimbas'' are also used as a protection against armed groups, and not only as a form of protest.<ref name="OPPbarricade">{{cite web |title=noticiascentro.com |url=http://www.noticiascentro.com/2014/guarimbas-protejen-contra-motomalandros/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141901/http://www.noticiascentro.com/2014/guarimbas-protejen-contra-motomalandros/ |archive-date=13 April 2014 |access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>

President Maduro and poor sectors in some cities criticized barricades, with Maduro denouncing that “thousands of people are affected by a small group of ten or twenty persons”, and that “some of them don’t have access to health care, including children and elders”,<ref>"A la pregunta sobre si la motivación de las guarimbas es “protestar por unos problemas”, o sacar a Maduro del poder, 36,9% cree que lo hacen como protesta, pero 63,1% dijo que tienen como objetivo sacar del poder a Maduro. El porcentaje más alto (78,7%) corresponde a los más pobres, de las clases D y E. Como ven, en esos estratos socioeconómicos hay mayor conciencia de los verdaderos fines de la red de guarimbas, donde los niveles de rechazo son más altos." [http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/opinion/firmas/los-domingos-de-diaz-rangel---eleazar-diaz-rangel/repudio-a-las-guarimbas.aspx "Repudio a las guarimbas" at ''Ultimas Noticias''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702144645/http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/opinion/firmas/los-domingos-de-diaz-rangel---eleazar-diaz-rangel/repudio-a-las-guarimbas.aspx |date=2 July 2014 }}</ref> although many opposition protesters argue that ''guarimbas'' are also used as a protection against armed groups, and not only as a form of protest.<ref name=OPPbarricade>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticiascentro.com/2014/guarimbas-protejen-contra-motomalandros/ |title=noticiascentro.com |access-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141901/http://www.noticiascentro.com/2014/guarimbas-protejen-contra-motomalandros/ |archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref> Contested statements claim that at least thirteen deaths had been attributed to opposition supporters at these barricades.<ref name=Milne/> It has also been reported that protestersDemonstrators have used homemade [[caltrop]]s made of hose pieces and nails, colloquially known in Spanish as “miguelitos” or "chinas", to deflate motorbike tires.<ref>[http://panorama.com.ve/portal/app/push/noticia101591.php Hallan “miguelitos” y clavos en barricadas de Ciudad Ojeda: FOTOS+VIDEO] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143317/http://panorama.com.ve/portal/app/push/noticia101591.php |date=13 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lta.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idLTASIEA1O06A20140225?sp=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143459/http://lta.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idLTASIEA1O06A20140225?sp=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=Guarimbas con miguelitos y chinas: el idioma de las protestas venezolanas- América Latina- Reuters|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> The government has also condemned their usage.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoXRpddyfRI|title=Guarimberos en Altamira ponen alambres,aporrea tvi, feberero 2014|date=22 February 2014|access-date=7 March 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticiasdiarias.informe25.com/2014/02/presidente-maduro-presenta-video-donde.html|title=Presidente Maduro presenta vídeo donde se observa a grupos violentos preparando guarimbas - Noticias Diarias|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> Some protestersProtesters have cited videos of protests in Ukraine and Egypt as inspiration for their tactics in defending barricades and repelling government forces, such as using common items such as beer bottles, metal tubing, and gasoline to construct fire bombs and mortars, while using bottles filled with paint to block the views of tank and armored riot vehicle drivers. Common protective gear for protesters include motorcycle helmets, construction dust masks, and gloves.<ref name=NeumanNYT>{{cite news|last=Neuman|first=William|title=Crude Weapons Help Fuel Unrest in Bastion of Venezuelan Opposition|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/world/americas/crude-weapons-help-fuel-unrest-in-bastion-of-venezuelan-opposition.html?_r=2|newspaper=The New York Times|date=26 February 2014 |access-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> President Maduro claimed that barricades had resulted in more than 50 deaths.<ref name="barricades_50deaths">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpp.com.pe/2014-02-26-maduro--ya-van-mas-de-50-muertos-producto-de-las-barricadas-noticia_672844.html|title=´Ya van más de 50 muertos producto de las barricadas´|work=rpp.pe|date=26 February 2014|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>

Public property was a target of protester violence. Attacks have been reported by Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz on the [[Public Ministry of Venezuela|Public Ministry]]'s headquarters;<ref>{{cite web|last=Bracho |first=Alejandro |title=Fiscal General denunció ataque a sede del Ministerio Público |url=http://sunoticiero.com/index.php/nacionales-not/40283-fiscal-general-denuncio-ataque-a-sede-del-ministerio-publico |publisher=sunoticiero.com |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062942/http://sunoticiero.com/index.php/nacionales-not/40283-fiscal-general-denuncio-ataque-a-sede-del-ministerio-publico |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> and by Mayor [[{{ill|Ramón Muchacho]]|es}} on the [[Banco de Venezuela|Bank of Venezuela]] and [[BBVA Provincial]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Alcalde Muchacho denuncia "ataques" contra bancos en Chacao|url=http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/noticias/alcalde-muchacho-denuncia--ataques--contra-bancos-.aspx|newspaper=El Mundo|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425020841/http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/noticias/alcalde-muchacho-denuncia--ataques--contra-bancos-.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many government officials have used social media to announce attacks and document damage. Carabobo state governor [[Francisco Ameliach]] used Twitter to report attacks by the "fascist right" on the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]]'s headquarters in Valencia,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ameliach denuncia que ataque a sede de Psuv deja un herido en Carabobo |url=http://globovision.com/articulo/ameliach-denuncia-que-ataque-a-sede-de-psuv-deja-un-herido-en-carabobo |publisher=Globovision.com |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227145958/http://globovision.com/articulo/ameliach-denuncia-que-ataque-a-sede-de-psuv-deja-un-herido-en-carabobo |archive-date=27 February 2014 }}</ref> as did José David Cabello after an attack by "armed opposition" on the headquarters of the [[SENIAT|National Integrated Service for the Administration of Customs Duties and Taxes]] (SENIAT).<ref>{{cite web|title=Denuncian ataques a sedes del Seniat en Caracas y Zulia |url=http://globovision.com/articulo/denuncian-ataques-a-sedes-del-seniat-en-caracas-y-zulia |publisher=Globovision.com |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307013045/http://globovision.com/articulo/denuncian-ataques-a-sedes-del-seniat-en-caracas-y-zulia |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref> The wife of the Tachira´Táchira's governor, Karla Jimenez de Vielma, said the headquarters of the ''FundacionFundación de la Familia Tachirense'' had been attacked by "hooligans" and posted photographs of the damage on her Facebook page.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yepes |first=Hector |title=Primera dama denunció ataque a la sede de la Fundación de la Familia Tachirense (Fotos) |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ve/regional/primera-dama-denuncio-ataque-a-la-sede-de-la-fundacion-de-la-familia-tachirense-fotos/ |newspaper=La Nación |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226225844/http://www.lanacion.com.ve/regional/primera-dama-denuncio-ataque-a-la-sede-de-la-fundacion-de-la-familia-tachirense-fotos/ |archive-date=26 February 2014 }}</ref>

In some attacks, institutions have suffered severe damage. In anger over [[MariaMaría Corina Machado]] being teargassed for trying to enter the National Assembly after having been expelled, some protesters attacked the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Works & Housing. President Maduro said the attack forced the evacuation of workers and about 89 children from the building after it had become "engulfed in flames" with much of the building's equipment destroyed and its windows shattered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela Ministry Torched By Protesters|date=2 April 2014 |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/venezuela-ministry-torched-protesters-094601485.html#ugF7qD3|publisher=Yahoo! News UK|access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Trujillo|first=Manuel Ruben|title=Maduro revela que hay un detenido por ataques a ministerio de Vivienda|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/protestas-en-venezuela/140403/maduro-revela-que-hay-un-detenido-por-ataques-a-ministerio-de-vivienda|newspaper=El Universal|access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> Two weeks earlier, the Tachira state campus of the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces, a military university that was converted by government decree to a public university, was attacked with molotov cocktails and largely destroyed. The dean, who blamed opposition protesters, highlighted damage to the university's library, technology labs, offices, and buses.<ref name=Robertson>{{cite web|last=Robertson |first=Ewan |title=Venezuelan Opposition Mayor Jailed and Another Arrested as More Die in Violent Disturbances |url=http://nsnbc.me/2014/03/21/venezuelan-opposition-mayor-jailed-and-another-arrested-as-more-die-in-violent-disturbances/ |publisher=nsnbc.me |access-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407111033/http://nsnbc.me/2014/03/21/venezuelan-opposition-mayor-jailed-and-another-arrested-as-more-die-in-violent-disturbances/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref> A National Guard officer stationed at the university was shot dead days later during a second attack on the campus.<ref name=Robertson/>

Many vehicles have been destroyed, including those belonging to the national food distribution companies PDVAL<ref>{{cite web|title=Queman 5 vehículos de Pdval en Carabobo|url=http://www.reporteconfidencial.info/noticia/3213292/queman-5-vehiculos-de-pdval-en-carabobo/|publisher=Reporte Confidencial|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220082219/http://www.reporteconfidencial.info/noticia/3213292/queman-5-vehiculos-de-pdval-en-carabobo/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Bicentenario.<ref>{{cite web|title=Violentos incendiaron gandola con alimentos en Maracaibo |url=http://www.ciudadccs.org.ve/?p=535489 |publisher=cuidadccs.org |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224194259/http://www.ciudadccs.org.ve/?p=535489 |archive-date=24 February 2014 }}</ref> Electricity Minister [[Jesse ChaconChacón]] said 22 vehicles of the company Corpoelec had been burned and that some public property electricity distribution wires were cut down, the result of alleged "fascist vandalism."<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Chacón denunció la quema de 22 vehículos de Corpoelec|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140220/jesse-chacon-denuncio-la-quema-de-22-vehiculos-de-corpoelec|newspaper=El Universal|access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> The Land Transport Minister, {{ill|Haiman El Troudi|es}}, reported attacks on the transport system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laradiodelsur.com/?p%3D247548 |title=Cámaras del Metrobús Guarenas – Guatire registran agresión de fascistas &#124; la Radio del Sur |access-date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224131030/http://laradiodelsur.com/?p=247548 |archive-date=24 February 2014 }}</ref> Some transport routes were temporarily closed, as well as the Caracas subway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/servicios-publicos/ocho-rutas-de-metrobus-afectadas-por-protestas.aspx |title=Inicio - Últimas Noticias |access-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227165406/http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/servicios-publicos/ocho-rutas-de-metrobus-afectadas-por-protestas.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2014 }}</ref>

As a continuation of the [[2019 Venezuelan protests]], protests continued in 2020, leaving four dead in March. In April, demonstrations took place in at least 100 cities and towns nationwide against food shortages, calling for better conditions and an end to the escalating political crisis.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=Venezuela crisis: Anger over shortages triggers protests |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-54354225 |agency=BBC}}</ref> Protesters rallied in late-May for two days, striking against the government's handling of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and calling on an end to shortages of food, fuel and medicine. Rioting broke out in the next few hours. Police fired [[tear gas]] to quell the first wave of demonstrations, but police presence was scarce during the second wave of popular protests prompted by even further tensions, violence, killings, crisis and shortages.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 March 2020 |title=Venezuela protest: Opposition clashes with police |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/2020/3/11/venezuela-protest-opposition-clashes-with-police |agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Four days of daily protests gained momentum and widespread unrest continued throughout over 105 areas in the country. Thousands participated in protests against late service deliveries and called on a solution to end the electricity, fuel and gas shortages. The wave of demonstrations and protests was the biggest since March. Two people were killed during the second wave of demonstrations.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 April 2020 |title=Riots Erupt in Venezuela’sVenezuela's Countryside Over Food, Fuel Scarcity |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-24/riots-erupt-in-venezuela-countryside-due-to-food-fuel-scarcity-k9eei9rd |agency=Bloomberg}}</ref>

President Maduro has said: "Beginning February 12, we have entered a new period in which the extreme right, unable to win democratically, seeks to win by fear, violence, subterfuge and [[media manipulation]]. They are more confident because the US government has always supported them despite their violence."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://afgj.org/alliance-for-global-justice-statement-on-right-wing-violence-in-venezuela | title = Statement on Right-Wing Violence in Venezuela | date = 18 February 2014 | publisher = Alliance for Global Justice | access-date = 21 February 2014}}</ref> In an op-ed in ''The New York Times'', President Maduro said that the protesters actions had caused several millions of dollars' worth of damage to public property. He continued, saying that the protesters have an undemocratic agenda to overthrow a democratically elected government, and that they are supported by the wealthy while receiving no support from the poor. He also added that crimes by government supporters will never be tolerated and that all perpetrators, no matter who they support, will be held accountable for their actions, and that the government has opened a Human Rights Council to investigate any issues, as "every victim deserves justice".<ref name= NYTmaduro/> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', President Maduro pointed to the United States' [[Covert United States foreign regime change actions|history of backing coups]], citing examples such as the [[1964 Brazilian coup d'état]], [[1973 Chilean coup d'état]], and [[2004 Haitian coup d'état]].<ref name=Milne/> President Maduro also highlighted whistleblower [[Edward Snowden]]'s revelations, U.S. state department documents, and 2006 [[WikiLeaks]]United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked diplomatic cables]] from the U.S.'s ambassador to Venezuela outlining plans to "'divide', 'isolate' and 'penetrate' the Chávez government" and revealing opposition group funding, some through [[USAid]] and the [[Office of Transition Initiatives]], including $5 million earmarked for overt support of opposition political groups in 2014.<ref name=Milne/> The [[United States]] has denied all involvement in the Venezuelan protests with President [[Barack Obama]] saying, "Rather than trying to distract from protests by making false accusations against U.S. diplomats, Venezuela's government should address the people's legitimate grievances".<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news|title=Obama Condemns Violence in Ukraine And Venezuela |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/19/obama-ukraine-venezuela_n_4820189.html |access-date=20 February 2014 |newspaper=Huffington Post |date=19 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220100823/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/19/obama-ukraine-venezuela_n_4820189.html |archive-date=20 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = White House: US not backing Venezuela opposition protests | url = http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/2/17/venezuela-expels3usdiplomatsamidprotestviolence.html |access-date=18 February 2014|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=18 February 2014}}</ref>

On 25 March, President Maduro announced that three [[Venezuelan Air Force]] generals were arrested for allegedly planning a "coup" against the government and in support for the protests and will be charged accordingly.<ref name="Rojas">{{cite news|last=Rojas|first=Eligio|title=Generales Machillanda, Hernández y Millán involucrados en supuesto golpe|url=http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/generales-machillanda--hernandez-y-millan-involucr.aspx|access-date=26 March 2014|newspaper=El Mundo|date=25 March 2014}}</ref> On 29 April, Captain [[Juan Carlos Caguaripano Scott]] of the Bolivarian National Guard criticized the Venezuelan government in a YouTube video. He said that "As a national guard member who loves this country and is worried about our future and our children". He continued saying that, “There are sufficient reasons to demand the resignation of the president, to free the political prisoners” and said that the government conducted a "[[fratricidal]] war". This video was posted days after Scott was accused of plotting a coup against the government "joining three generals from the air force and another captain of the national guard already accused of plotting against the state".<ref name=BBscott>{{cite news|last=Parshely|first=Lois|title=Venezuela's Latest Military Defector Puts the Focus on Civilian Deaths|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-05-02/venezuelas-latest-military-defector-draws-focus-to-civilian-deaths|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503163335/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-05-02/venezuelas-latest-military-defector-draws-focus-to-civilian-deaths|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 May 2014|access-date=3 May 2014|newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek|date=2 May 2014}}</ref>

On 27 January 2015, the Venezuelan Minister of Defense, [[Vladimir Padrino López]], signed [[Resolution 8610]] which stated that the "use of potentially lethal force, along with the firearm or another potentially lethal weapon" could be used as a last resort by the Venezuelan armed forces "to prevent disorders, support the legitimately constituted authority and reject any aggression, facing it immediately and the necessary means".<ref name=EN8610>{{cite news|last1=Lopez|first1=Edgar|title=Autorizan uso de armas mortales contra protestas|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Autorizan-uso-armas-mortales-protestas_0_564543734.html|access-date=12 February 2015|agency=El Nacional|date=29 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216080935/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Autorizan-uso-armas-mortales-protestas_0_564543734.html|archive-date=16 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The resolution conflicted with Article 68 of the Venezuelan Constitution that states, "the use of firearms and toxic substances to control peaceful demonstrations is prohibited. The law shall regulate the actions of the police and security in the control of public order".<ref name=EN8610/>

The resolution caused outrage among some Venezuelans which resulted in protests against Resolution 8610, especially after the death of 14-year-old [[Murder of Kluivert Roa|Kluiberth Roa Nunez]], which had protests days after his death numbering in the thousands.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dreier|first1=Hannah|title=Venezuelan Protest Deadly Force Order After Young Boy Killed|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelan-students-protest-deadly-force-order-29273459|access-date=1 March 2015|agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=27 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Obregon|first1=Walter|title=Estudiantes de Barinas protestaron en contra del asesinato de liceísta|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150225/estudiantes-de-barinas-protestaron-en-contra-del-asesinato-de-liceista|access-date=25 February 2015|agency=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lares Martiz|first1=Valentina|title=Se eleva la tensión en Venezuela por asesinato de joven de 14 años|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/crisis-en-venezuela-protestas-por-muerte-de-estudiante/15301644|access-date=14 March 2015|agency=[[El Tiempo (Anzoátegui)|El Tiempo]]|date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Students, academics and human rights groups condemned the resolution.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan Protest Deadly Force Order After Young Boy Killed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/27/world/americas/ap-lt-venezuela-unrest-.html|access-date=14 March 2015|agency=[[The New York Times]]|date=27 February 2015}}</ref> International entities had expressed concern with Resolution 8610 as well, including the Government of [[Canada]] which stated that it was "concerned by the decision of the Government of Venezuela to authorize the use of deadly force against demonstrators" while the [[European Parliament]] demanded the repeal of the resolution entirely.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canadá está preocupada por resolución 8610 en Venezuela|url=http://globovision.com/canada-dice-estar-preocupada-por-resolucion-8610-en-venezuela/|access-date=14 March 2015|agency=[[Globovison]]|date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227025638/http://globovision.com/canada-dice-estar-preocupada-por-resolucion-8610-en-venezuela/|archive-date=27 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Merchán|first1=Johan|title=Parlamento Europeo pide liberación inmediata de López, Ledezma, Ceballos y manifestantes pacíficos detenidos por régimen de Maduro|url=http://www.enoriente.com/noticias/internacionales/2629-parlamento-europeo-pide-liberacion-inmediata-de-lopez-ledezma-ceballos-y-manifestantes-pacificos-detenidos-por-regimen-de-maduro|access-date=14 March 2015|agency=En Oriente|date=12 March 2015|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233338/http://enoriente.com/noticias/internacionales/2629-parlamento-europeo-pide-liberacion-inmediata-de-lopez-ledezma-ceballos-y-manifestantes-pacificos-detenidos-por-regimen-de-maduro|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Opposition medic 2014 Venezuelan protests..jpg|upright=1.1591|thumbnail|left|Opposition [[medicParamedic]] tending to a protester]]

The opposition demonstrations that followed have been called by some as "Middle Class Protests".<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela: These Are Middle Class Protests, And The Poor Aren't Joining|url=http://www.wftv.com/videos/news/venezuela-these-are-middle-class-protests-and-the/vCRR73/|access-date=19 March 2014|newspaper=WFTV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320012331/http://www.wftv.com/videos/news/venezuela-these-are-middle-class-protests-and-the/vCRR73/|archive-date=20 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, some lower class Venezuelans told student protesters visiting them that they also want to protest against the "worsening food shortages, crippling inflation and unchecked violent crime" but are afraid to since pro-government groups known as "colectivos" had "violently suppressed" demonstrations and had allegedly killed some opposition protesters too.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bajak |first=Frank |title=Venezuelan student protesters seek to woo poor |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/venezuelan-student-protesters-seek-woo-poor |access-date=19 March 2014 |newspaper=Associated Press |date=19 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319231639/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/venezuelan-student-protesters-seek-woo-poor |archive-date=19 March 2014 }}</ref>

Years later on 14 February 2017, President Maduro ordered cable providers to take CNN en Español off the air, days after CNN aired an investigation into the alleged fraudulent issuing of Venezuelan passports and visas. The news story revealed a confidential intelligence document that links Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami to 173 Venezuelan passports and IDs issued to individuals from the Middle East, including people connected to the terrorist group Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/15/americas/cnn-en-espanol-venezuela-off-air/index.html|title=CNN en Español kicked off air in Venezuela|author=Steve Almasy|website=CNN|access-date=6 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Zamost |first=Scott |last2=Griffin |first2=Drew |last3=Guerrero |first3=Kay |last4=Romo |first4=Rafael |date=2017-02-14 |title=Whistleblower reveals passport fraud |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/08/world/venezuela-passports-investigation/index.html|title=Whistleblower reveals passport fraud|last=Investigations|first=Scott Zamost, Drew Griffin, Kay Guerrero and Rafael Romo, CNN|website=CNN|access-date=6 March 2017 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

{{further|Reactions to the 2014–172014 Venezuelan protests|Reactions to the 2017 Venezuelan protests}}

[[Category:Political timelines by year]]