Protests against Nicolás Maduro

2014 Venezuelan protests
Opposition march in Caracas, 12 February 2014
Date	January/February 2014 – ongoing
Location	Venezuela
Status	Ongoing
Parties
Venezuelan opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable Popular Will Anti-government protesters Anti-government university students Government of Venezuela Great Patriotic Pole United Socialist Party of Venezuela Pro-government paramilitary forces (Colectivos) Pro-government protesters Pro-government university students
Lead figures
Leopoldo López María Corina Machado Juan Requesens Lilian Tintori Henrique Capriles David Smolansky Nicolás Maduro Diosdado Cabello Elías Jaua Jorge Arreaza Luisa Ortega Díaz

In early 2014, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil unrest occurred throughout Venezuela. The protests erupted largely as a result of the high levels of criminal violence, inflation, and chronic scarcity of basic goods. The protesters claim that these are caused by the economic policies of Venezuela's government, including strict price controls, which allegedly have led to one of the highest inflation rates in the world. However, government supporters claim that government policy significantly improved the quality of life of Venezuelans, especially that of under previous president Hugo Chávez. President Nicolás Maduro instead blamed an "economic war" being waged against his government, specifically blaming capitalism and speculation. As a result, protests opposing the current government have taken place in cities around the country; clashes that have resulted from these protests have led to arrests, injuries, and deaths.

Early protests against crime began in January 2014, after actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her husband were killed on 6 January 2014 during a roadside robbery, while their five-year-old daughter was in the car. Another act of crime occurred in February, where the attempted rape of a young student on a university campus in San Cristobal led to protests from students over crime; these protests expanded to other cities, where opposition leaders quickly became involved. Student protests coincided with the commemoration of the Battle of La Victoria on 12 February 1814, during the Venezuelan War of Independence, when the independence forces armed thousands of college and seminary students at the shortage of troops. This date is also known as National Youth Day. The protests have been called a "Venezuelan Spring", in reference to the ongoing Arab Spring.

On 3 March 2014, a meeting took place in Geneva between United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua. Afterwards, the United Nations issued a statement saying that Ban had "reiterated his hope to see reduced tensions and the necessary conditions to engage in meaningful dialogue."

Background

Protesters sign saying, "Why do I protest? Insecurity, scarcity, injustice, repression, deceit, for my future."

Demonstrations against violence in Venezuela began in January 2014, and continued, when former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles shook the hand of President Maduro; this "gesture... cost him support and helped propel" opposition leader Leopoldo López Mendoza to the forefront. According to the Associated Press, well before protests began in the Venezuelan capital city of Caracas, the attempted rape of a young student on a university campus in San Cristóbal, in the western border state of Táchira, led to protests from students "outraged" at "long-standing complaints about deteriorating security under President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chávez. But what really set them off was the harsh police response to their initial protest, in which several students were detained and allegedly abused, as well as follow-up demonstrations to call for their release". These protests expanded, attracted non-students, and led to more detentions; eventually, other students joined, and the protests spread to Caracas and other cities, with opposition leaders getting involved.

López is a leading figure in the opposition to the government. During events surrounding the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, Lopez "orchestrated the public protests against Chávez and he played a central role in the citizen's arrest of Chavez's interior minister", Ramón Rodríguez Chacín, though he later tried to distance himself from the event, and did not sign the Carmona Decree. The government of Venezuela banned López from holding elected office; the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that this was illegal, but the Venezuelan government refused to comply with the court ruling.

President Maduro said that San Cristobal is under siege by right-wing paramilitaries under orders from former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe; Uribe dismissed the allegation as a distraction tactic. Maduro also stated that San Cristobal Mayor Daniel Ceballos, a member of the same party as Leopoldo Lopez, would soon be jailed for fomenting violence.

Corruption

Main article: Corruption in Venezuela

In a 2014 survey by Gallup, nearly 75% of Venezuelans believe corruption is widespread in their government. Leopoldo López wanted millions of people to join his demonstrations against the government with one of the main reasons being the alleged corruption, with López explaining that, "We are fighting a very corrupt authoritarian government that uses all the power, all the money, all the media, all the laws, all the judicial system in order to maintain control." Corruption in Venezuela, as with its surrounding countries, is high by world standards. Corruption is difficult to measure reliably, but one well-known measure is the Corruption Perceptions Index, produced annually by the Berlin-based NGO, Transparency International (TNI). Venezuela has been one of the most corrupt countries in TNI surveys since they started in 1995, ranking 38th out of 41 that year and performing similarly badly in following years (e.g. 158th out of 180 countries in 2008, the worst in the Americas except Haiti, and one of the 10 most corrupt countries on the index in 2012, ranked 165th out of 176 tied with Burundi, Chad, and Haiti). TNI public opinion data says that most Venezuelans believe the government's effort against corruption is ineffective, that corruption has increased and that government institutions such as the judicial system, parliament, legislature and police are the most corrupt. According to TNI, Venezuela is currently among the top 20 most corrupt countries in the world ranking 18 (160 of 177) and its judicial system has been deemed the most corrupt in the world.

The World Justice Project ranked Venezuela's government in 99th place worldwide and gave it the worst ranking of countries in Latin America according to the Rule of Law Index 2014®. The report says, "Venezuela is the country with the poorest performance of all countries analyzed, showing decreasing trends in the performance of many areas in relation to last year. The country ranks last in the surrender of accounts by the government due to an increasing concentration of executive power and a weakened checks and balances" and that, "administrative bodies suffer inefficiencies and lack of transparency in its activity, and the judicial system, although relatively accessible, lost positions due to increasing political interference. Another area of concern is the increase in crime and violence, and violations of fundamental rights particularly the right to freedom of opinion and expression".

Economic problems

Main article: Economy of Venezuela

An opposition protestor holding a sign saying, "I protest for the scarcity. Where to get these?'

The Venezuelan government's economic policies, including strict price controls, have led to one of the highest inflation rates in the world with "sporadic hyperinflation", and have caused severe shortages of food and other staple goods. Venezuela has been ranked 175 of 178 in economic freedom by the Heritage Foundation and was classified as a "Repressed" economy. The New York Times shows data provided by economist Steve H. Hanke of the Cato Institute that Venezuela's current economy has an implied inflation rate hovering above 300%, an official inflation rate around 60% and a product scarcity index rising above 25% of goods. According to a Datos survey, more than half of those interviews accused the Maduro government for the country's current economic situation and think the situation with the economy in Venezuela will be worse or just as bad in the next 6 months of 2014. President Maduro has blamed the economic troubles on an alleged "economic war" being waged against his government; specifically, he has placed blame on capitalism and speculation.

In 2013, Venezuela devalued its currency with ongoing shortages of necessities such as toilet paper, milk, and flour. President Maduro blamed toilet paper and food shortages on the Venezuelan people saying they "eat too much". The government's catastrophic monetary policy means that businesses cannot afford to import basic goods such as paper; the National Guard occupied MANPA, the nation's largest manufacturer of toilet paper, with the aim to check operations for "possible diversion of distribution" and "illegal management". However in early 2014, members of Popular Will that were visiting in El Salvador claimed that Venezuelan toilet paper along with other products were given to El Salvador by the Venezuelan government and said that in Venezuela, "These products are not available in our country, and to get them is after making humiliating lines for hours" and that, "This outraged us when one of the causes of the protests that we live today is the shortage of food, that are found in countries of Central America, with Venezuelan subsidized resources".

In November 2013, weeks before local elections, Maduro ordered the military to take over appliance stores, with the analysts saying that the move was "cannibalizing" the economy and may even lead to even more shortages in the future with no restock. Maduro said he was fighting an "economic war" and enforcing "fair" prices for buyers, saying "This is for the good of the nation, leave nothing on the shelves, nothing in the warehouses". Price controls have hurt businesses and led to shortages, long queues, and looting – even by the National Guard. In February 2014, the government said it had confiscated more than 3,500 tons of contraband on the border with Colombia—food and fuel which, it said, was intended for "smuggling" or "speculation". The president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, said "All these foods should be assigned to the Venezuelan people, not in the hands of these gangsters".

Line of people waiting to buy toilet paper in Guatire, Venezuela on 13 March 2014.

According to The Economist, the Venezuelan government is running out of hard currency to pay bills. Venezuela's largest privately owned business, Empresas Polar, is owed US$463 million by the government; production is at risk because it cannot pay foreign suppliers. A major railway project in Venezuela was delayed because Venezuela cannot pay US$7.5 billion and owes China Railway nearly US$500 million. In early 2014, many international airlines such as Air Canada, Air Europa, American Airlines, and United Airlines suspended operation in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government faced accusations of owing international airlines more than $3.7 billion and violating treaties, the International Air Transport Association on 13 March accused the government of failing to "repatriate" $3.7 billion in air ticket revenue owed to foreign airlines. Automotive companies Toyota, Ford and General Motors have also suspended production due to a lack of currency in the country with a General Motors representative saying that they "saw no horizon or resolutions to business operations in Venezuela". In response to the inflation Maduro has increased the minimum wage, the legal minimum for full-time workers and for pension, by the same percentage as the official inflation rate: 59% between May 2013 and January 2014. However, actual inflation rates may be much higher with an implied inflation rate of 330%, nearly six times the official rate of 59%. The money supply of the Bolivar Fuerte in Venezuela also continues to accelerate, possibly contributing to more inflation.

In February 2014, doctors at University of Caracas Medical Hospital stopped performing surgeries due to the lack of supplies, even though nearly 3,000 people require surgery. The government's currency policy has made it difficult to import drugs and other medical supplies. The Venezuelan government stopped publishing medical statistics in 2010 and does not supply enough dollars for medical supplies; doctors say that 9 of 10 of large hospitals have only 7% of required supplies with private doctors reporting many patients that are "impossible" to count are dying from easily treated illnesses due to the "downward sliding economy".

In March 2014, the executive director of the Venezuelan Association of Hospitals and Clinics explained how in less than a month, shortages of 53 medical products rose to 109 products and explained how the CADIVI system is to blame since 86% of supplies are imported. Both public and private sector hospitals have only about 2 months of supplies with private sector hospitals claiming they owe suppliers US$15 billion in order to pay for debts. On 16 March, the company Superenvases Envalic, of Empresas Polar, which produces cans for sodas and beers, had to stop operations due to lack of raw material

In order to "crush speculators", President Maduro introduced a new card called Tarjeta de Abastecimiento Seguro along with a new "Cuban-like" rationing system to Venezuela; a system that has struggled in Cuba because "the products offered are not sufficient and families must resort to the black market to survive". Many Venezuelans disagree with the new rationing system and said they will not use it once the biometric food mission begins on 1 April 2014.

Violent crime

Main article: Crime in Venezuela

A protester with a sign saying, "I'd rather die standing than live on my knees."

In Venezuela, a person is murdered every 21 minutes. In the first two months of 2014, nearly 3,000 people had already been murdered in Venezuela; 10% higher than the previous year and 500% higher than when Hugo Chávez first took office. In 2014, Quartz claimed that the high murder rate is due to, "The country's growing poverty rate; rampant corruption; high levels of gun ownership; and a failure to punish murderers (91% of the murders go unpunished, according to the Institute for Research on Coexistence and Citizen Security)". InsightCrime attributed the escalating violence to "high levels of corruption, a lack of investment in the police force and weak gun control".

Following the January killing of actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her ex-husband in a roadside robbery in front of their five-year-old daughter, herself surviving being shot in the leg, Venezuela was described as "one of the most dangerous countries in the world" by Channel 4: "where crime escalated during the administration of former President Hugo Chávez and killings are common in armed robberies." The Venezuelan Violence Observatory says the country's murder rate is nearly 80 deaths per 100,000 people, government statistics put it at 39 deaths per 100,000. The number of those murdered during the previous decade mimics that of the Iraq War and in some instances had more civilian deaths even though the country was at peacetime. Crime has also effected the economy according to Jorge Roig, president of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce, who said, "There are executives who don't want to come out of fear," and that, "a lot of owners of Venezuelan companies who live abroad and whose companies produce less as a result."

The opposition says crime is the government's fault "for being soft on crime, for politicizing and corrupting institutions such as the judiciary, and for glorifying violence in public discourse" while the government says "capitalist evils" are to blame; even though poverty levels have supposedly dropped and capitalism had lost its footing in the country.

The United States State Department and Government of Canada has warned foreign visitors that they may be subjected to robbery, kidnapping for a ransom or sale to terrorist organizations and murder. The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel within 80 km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure.

Elections

Main article: Venezuelan presidential election, 2013

Multiple signs of Nicolas Maduro remaining from 2013 Venezuelan presidential election.

On 14 April 2013, Nicolas Maduro won the presidential election by a margin of 1.5% of the vote separating him from the second candidate, Henrique Capriles Radonski. This election was seeded with accusations of fraud. Opposition leader Capriles refused to accept the results of the election, alleging voters were being coerced to vote for Maduro and claiming election irregularities, despite the electoral council's post-election audit of a random selection of 54% of votes, comparing the electronic records with the paper ballots, which showed no problems. Capriles initially called for an audit of the remaining 46% of votes, asserting that this would show that he had won the election. The election council agreed to carry out an audit, and planned to do so in May. Later Capriles changed his mind, adding demands for a full audit of the electoral registry, and calling the audit process "a joke" saying that it was "impossible that Ms Lucena would say anything against the order she was given" when she declared the full audit "unfeasible".

After the government refused to carry out a vote recount, there were opposition protests of banging pans and street demonstrations that resulted in the National Guard dispersing crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets. President Maduro responded to the protests saying, "If you want to try to oust us through a coup, the people and the armed forces will be waiting for you" while he was trying to suggest peace on the streets. The clashes resulted in 7 killed, dozens injured with President Maduro saying that the protests were a "coup" blaming the United States for the protests and resulted with Capriles telling protesters to stop and not play the "government's game", in order to avoid more deaths.

On 12 June 2013 the results of the audit were announced. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) said it found no discrepancy with the initial results and confirmed Maduro's electoral victory. The Carter Center, founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, repeated that the CNE found no fraud, but that votes could have been accepted more than "only one time", the Supreme Court ignored Capriles' petition of reelection, "intimidating climate" around voting centers, found problems with media support for the ruling party and the use of government resources to support electoral campaigns which were all "contrary to Venezuelan laws". Government resources were used to support the ruling party's electoral campaigns; government vehicles are used for transport. In the recent local elections, Maduro spent two hours per day on live television, while opposition candidates were ignored or insulted.

Public opinion

Survey results from citizens have been divided. In March, a survey conducted by Datos, a Venezuelan group focusing on public opinion and consumers, found that more than half of Venezuelans blame the Maduro government for the country's problems, and that 64% believe the government should get out of power constitutionally a soon as possible. In the current political situation, 43.7% agreed with the opposition while only 27.1% agreed with the government. When Venezuelans were asked about the overall situation in the country, 72.0% found the situation negative with more than half thinking it has worsened since last year when President Maduro took office. A survey taken in late March by Hercon Consultants showed that 53.7% of Venezuelans believed they lived under a dictatorship. 54.7% sided with the opposition. 69% believe the situation in Venezuela is heading on a bad path. 68.5% believe things will not get better in the next 3 months. 54.7% believed the current problems the country is facing is due to President Maduro. 61.3% believe that the government under President Maduro is worse. A Venebarometro survey by Croes, Gutierrez & Associates, 42.8%, agreed with the opposition while 38.0% agreed with the government. 69.7% believed the situation in the country was bad with insecurity being the largest principal problem. 51.3% of Venezuelans believed the government and President Maduro was responsible for the problems in Venezuela. 67.2% thought the protests were fair. 60.5% thought human rights violations were caused by the government. According to a Gallup poll, 52% of Venezuelans disapprove of President Maduro compared to 34% who approve. Confidence with the government dropped to a record low of 39%. In a survey by Keller & Associates, 64% of Venezuelans thought the government under President Maduro is worse than under President Chavez.

Surveys conducted by the private consultancy firm Hinterlaces found that 87% of Venezuelans reject violent demonstrations and barricades as instruments of protest, and that 79% view the current protests are potentially worsening the situation in general terms. Hinterlaces also found, in studies conducted in March, that 9 out of 10 Venezuelans favor peaceful, electoral and constitutional solutions, while less than 11% favor the President's immediate departure of the President. When asked about the management of President Maduro, 57% rated it as 'positive', whereas 41% rated it as 'negative'. Opinion polls by International Consulting Services (ICS) also show that the government maintains considerable support among the Venezuelan people. ICS surveys conducted at the end of February found that 81% of Venezuelans believed that the protests were violent, and that 85.4% disagreed with their continuation. In surveys conducted in March, ICS found that 87.1% of Venezuelans considered that the protests 'in general' have been violent and also indicated that 63.3% have confidence in President Maduro to solve the country's problems. According to the survey, if another election was held, Maduro would be re-elected with 55.8% of the votes (while 33.7% would favor the opposition candidate).

Timeline of events

January

• 6 January – Miss Venezuela 2004 Monica Spear and her ex-husband Thomas Henry Berry are killed just outside of Valencia, Venezuela.
• 8 January – Protests begin after the killing of Monica Spear in the capital city of Caracas, Venezuela.

February

Anti-government demonstration on Margarita Island.

Protester holding a sign saying "Peace" and a Venezuelan flag.

Human chain of protesters in Valencia, Venezuela.

Protesters at Plaza de La República in Maracaibo, Venezuela on 16 February.

Protester with a sign against alleged internet censorship.

Thousands of opposition protestors outside of Palacio de Justicia in Maracaibo, Venezuela

Home of former general Ángel Vivas.

• 1 February – Leopoldo Lopez called upon students to protest peacefully against the scarcity, insecurity, and shortages.
• 2 February – Opposition leaders call for a march on 12 February for National Youth Day.
• 4 February – Protests at the University of the Andes occurred due to insecurity and an attempted sexual assault of a student.
• 5 February – Student protests at the Universidad Alejandro de Humboldt, where the principal avenues of Caracas were blocked alleging insecurity of the students during the night shift
• 6 February – Students at the Catholic University of Táchira protested and were accused of attacking a residence.
• 7 February – Medical students in Tachira continue to protest peacefully.
• 8 February – Students from the University of the Andes protested outside the headquarters of SEBIN where students were being held arrested.
• 9 February – Women dressed in black to protest against the arrests that happened in Tachira.
• 11 February – Students in Táchira, Zulia, Caracas and Coro protested for the release of fellow students.
• 12 February – Major opposition protests began with student marches led by opposition leaders in 38 cities across Venezuela simultaneous with the national celebrations for the bicentennial year anniversary of Youth Day and the Battle of La Victoria. After the protests, smaller groups remained and threw stones at government forces. The protests turned more violent after government security forces and "colectivos" allegedly used excessive force on protesters and supposedly shot at groups of unarmed people. Two protesters and a pro-government activist were killed in Caracas. President Maduro blamed "fascist" groups for the deaths caused that day, including opposition leader Leopoldo López, during his closing address in the Youth Day parade that evening in La Victoria, Aragua state. The Colombian news channel NTN24 was taken off the air by CONATEL (the Venezuelan government agency appointed for the regulation, supervision and control over telecommunications) for "promoting violence and unacknowledging authorities".
• 13 February – Following the death of a colectivo member Juan "Juancho" Montoya, members of colectivos "went on television to call for calm and called for the arrest of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. Judge Ralenys Tovar Guillén accepts the Public Ministry's petition to detain Leopoldo López in connection with the unrest that resulted in the death of the colectivo leader and two students. Government supporters gathered outside of the headquarters of the Public Ministry a day after it was attacked. Seven universities in Venezuela cancelled Youth Day programs due to the large involvement of student protesters. The governor of the Aragua state, Tarek El Aissami, denounced that opposition groups attempted to burn the governorate, attacked the Girardot Municipality town hall, burned a vehicle and wounded ten police officers the previous day. Likewise, The Minister of Ground Transport, Haiman El Troudi, denounced that the ministry headquarters were attacked during the night of the protests. According to Vielma Mora, there was an attempt to take over the electric substation Santa Teresa and destroy a sport school, and the front and a bus of the Bolivarian University of Venezuela were attacked in Táchira.
• 14 February – Students protested outside of the Organization of American States in Venezuela asking them for action against the violence. Opposition protestors blocked the Francisco de Miranda avenue in Caracas asking for the release of students arrested on 12 February. The National Guard of Venezuela dispersed protesters with tear gas in Altamira. The Democratic Unity Roundtable and the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) asked for the disarmament of the pro-government colectivos and armed groups The Foro Penal Venezolano (Venezuelan Penal Forum) denounced that the National Bolivarian Police (PNB) manipulated proofs about the use of firearms against protestors in Barquisimeto to avoid incrimination.
• 15 February – Chavistas protested at Plaza Venezuela in Caracas. A Globovisión reporter and her workmates denounced being attacked with stones in Plaza Venezuela and thanked those who were there that sympathized with her. Haiman El Troudi denounced that Caracas Metro workers were assaulted "with sticks and pipes", and that "damage and destruction" were produced in its facilities during the protests the 12 and 14 February. He also explained that 40 Metrobús units were stoned and now inoperative, and that escalators, train glasses, cameras, signals and fire systems were damaged. CONATEL's CEO, William Castillo, justified taking NTN24 off the air basing in the article 27 of the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio, Television and Electronic Media, which prohibits incitement of hatred, and expressed that he thinks that an "abuse" of the freedom of speech is exercised. According to him, CONATEL carried out a monitoring where "90% of NTN24's programmation was dedicated to Venezuela where the 80% was biased to one side of the conflict."
• 16 February – The Venezuelan Minister for Communication and Information, es warned that the government will take legal action against international media "media manipulation". Rodriguez claimed that the social networks and national and international media have allegedly reported fake pictures that do not correspond to Venezuela. The Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Miguel Rodríguez Torres, assured having evidence that "proves that the protesters in Chacao are outside of the age range of a university student, and that they use very expensive motorcycles with an attire not peculiar of a middle or popular social class student. He accused Ramón Muchacho, the mayor of the Chacao municipality, of not assuming his responsibility for the security of the municipality. Likewise, he criticized the Miranda state governor, Henrique Capriles, of not taking actions to avoid the aggressions in the sector. Henrique Capriles criticized the national government, considering them irresponsibles and affirming that "the civilians don't carry out coups", and asking where are the proofs (of this).
• 17 February – Armed government intelligence personnel illegally forced their way into the headquarters of Popular Will in Caracas and held individuals that were inside at gunpoint. About 300 opposition protesters gathered outside of the headquarters to protest against the infiltration of the facility and are dispersed with tear gas. The mayor of the Libertador Bolivarian Municipality, Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, declared Caracas a "peace zone free of fascism", affirmed he hasn't received any request for an opposition march the 18 February and that until there is a request "they can release an opinion". He affirmed that day "the permission for the cultural march to Plaza Venezuela was granted", whose organizers actually delivered a permission request.
• 18 February – Leopoldo López delivered a speech in Plaza Brión where he pointed out that its necessary to build "a pacific exit, inside the constitution but in the streets" and assured that "there isn't free media anymore to express themselves and if the media stays silent they must go to the streets". He declared that "if his imprisonment allows Venezuela to wake up definitely and for the Venezuelans that want a change, his imprisonment will be worth it." He turned himself to the National Guard at 12:24 P.M., Venezuelan time, and said he was turning himself to a "corrupt justice". After Lopez turned himself in, the opposition protestors blocked the Francisco Fajardo Highway. Hundreds of his supporters gathered outside of the Palacio de Justicia, protesting the fact that in their view Lopez will be judged by an unfair and corrupt justice system in a country where "there is no separation of powers". The opposition protestors were attacked outside of the Palacio de Justicia by armed pro-government groups who beat them, threw objects at them from the building and tried to steal their cellphones. Amnesty International said the charges appeared to be politically motivated, and called for the release of López in the absence of evidence. Human Rights Watch said "The Venezuelan government has openly embraced the classic tactics of an authoritarian regime, jailing its opponents, muzzling the media, and intimidating civil society", saying that the Maduro government was blaming opposition leaders, including López, for violence. Some students and professors are arrested for allegedly setting fire to a PDVSA oil truck. Student protestors said they were forcibly removed by police from where they were concentrated for seven days in Maracay. Government supporters gather in Plaza Venezuela.
• 19 February – Miss Tourism Venezuela Génesis Carmona died after being shot in the head while supporting an opposition protest. Some protesters claim she was killed by a Chavista. Father Palmar, a Catholic priest and supporter of the protests in Zulia, Venezuela was attacked and injured by government forces during a peaceful demonstration. This happened a couple days after Father Palmar gave a speech against Maduro asking for his resignation and claiming that the Cuban G2 was responsible for influencing Maduro. The trial for Leopoldo Lopez was postponed again and moved to Ramo Verde military prison. That evening, a pro-government group known as "La Paz" was seen firing weapons at buildings without impediment from members of Bolivarian National Guard. Pro-government groups on motorcycles also attacked protesters in Sucre, Venezuela with stones and bottles with support from government security forces. After a group of citizens gathered in Caracas asking for no more deaths, groups of Chavistas and GNB responded violently shooting tear gas, buckshot, and shot a 37-year-old law student who was trying to mediate between protesters and the National Guard.
• 20 February – The removal of María Corina Machado's parliamentary immunity is requested in the National Assembly. The minister of Electric Energy, Jesse Chacón, denounced vandal acts to the property of the National Electric System in the Anzoátegui, Bolívar and Carabobo states. The charges of terrorism and homicide of Leopoldo López are suspended. A citizen in the Mérida state dies after sustaining fatal wounds while crossing a barricade with barbed wire in a motorcycle with one of her children.
• 21 February – Venezuela closed its consulates in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire after an alleged attack by a Venezuelan citizen, said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua. A motorcycle rider died after tripping with a guaya (steel cable) placed near a barricade. The government accused the opposition students for the event.
• 22 February – A student protestor, Geraldine Moreno, died in the hospital after sustaining wounds in the eye caused by shotgun pellets when a member of the National Guard shot her in the face while she was protesting in the Tazajal sector, Carabobo state.
• 23 February – Tens of thousands of protesters both supporting and opposing the government demonstrated in Caracas which led to some of the most serious clashes seen throughout the protests. About 30 military units arrived at the residence of retired brigadier general Ángel Vivas to arrest him for "training" protestors to place barbed wire over the roads to injure government forces and pro-government protestors, resulting in one fatality in the process and many more wounded. An engineer dies after being wounded two days ago during a protest in Caracas.
• 24 February – Opposition and government forces clashed in San Cristóbal, Táchira. Opposition protesters barricaded themselves and threw rocks and firebombs at the National Guard. The National Guard responded with tear gas and shotgun fire. One man was injured by shotgun fire and another was killed after the National Guard shot tear gas at him causing him to fall off a roof. The governor of Tachira, José Vielma Mora criticized the government saying, "I got angry because of the military planes overflying Táchira; it was an unacceptable excess" and pointed out to residents, "I am not part of the regime; I was elected by the people of Táchira".
• 25 February – Delcy Rodríguez informed that a VTV (Venezuelan Television Corporation) journalist was wounded during the protests in the Táchira state and urged the National Journalist School and the National Press Workers Syndicate to comment about the event. She also denounced that the media, both national and international, ignore the continuous attacks that the government supporters suffer, including journalists and members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. A moto-taxi driver dies after being shot the previous day while attempting to remove debris placed by protesters in Maracaibo, Zulia state.
• 26 February – Lilian Tintori, wife of Leopoldo Lopez, led a quiet protest of women students just before a government peace conference. In Táchira, a group of protesters decapitated a statue of late president Hugo Chávez and posted the pictures on Twitter. The headquarters of the political party Democratic Action in San Cristóbal is looted. Its secretary general, Miguel Reyes, accused the governor Vielma Mora of the events and denounced that the police didn't act.
• 27 February – Students led by Juan Requesens protested against violence, detention and torture of students and the shortages in Venezuela, with Herique Capriles visiting, but not as a spokesperson. The government issued an arrest warrant for Carlos Vecchio, a leader of Popular Will on various charges. Medics in Maracay, Aragua state, protest against the condition of the hospitals in the state.
• 28 February – A group of protesters ambushed a National Guard officer and attacked him. A neighbor came to defend the officer, who ran behind the automatic gates. Eventually the protesters broke into the house he was hiding at and stole his helmet and bulletproof vest.

March

Protesters banging pots in a Cacerolazo protesting lengthened Carnaval celebrations.

A barricade built by protestors blocking a street.

Demonstrators going to Central University of Venezuela to protest for the Ombudswoman's resignation.

Protests in front of police at Altamira Square.

Graduates with a sign saying: "What use do I have of two careers in a dictatorship?".

File:Political cartoon Venezuela 2014.jpg

A sign with a political cartoon. President Nicolás Maduro is shown as a puppet of Fidel Castro, while Fidel lights his cigar with a burning Venezuelan flag.

Opposition protesters holding a sign criticizing the alleged Cuban intervention in Venezuela saying "Cuba Out"

Opposition protesters with large Venezuelan flag at Altamira Square.

• 1 March – Some cities such as El Tigre, Anaco, Tigrito, Píritu refused to celebrate Carnaval and protesters placed crosses representing those fallen during the protests on beaches popular during Carnaval, which had few visitors due to the protests. Carnaval celebrations in cities also had few attendees due to the protests with most of those at celebrations being police officers. The water in a fountain at Plaza Francia in Caracas was dyed red in protest of the deaths caused by violence.
• 2 March – Tens of thousands of opposition protesters marched throughout Caracas protesting against alleged censorship, shortages, insecurity and injustice.
• 3 March – Citizens of Los Salias and Los Teques marched to Ramo Verde Prison to demand "justice and freedom" from the government.
• 4 March – Thousands of peaceful opposition protesters filled the streets of Caracas. The president of COPEI along with other citizens gathered in front of the United Nations in Chacao asking for the opposition to present their case to the United Nations and claimed that Elias Jaua is trying to conceal what is really happening in Venezuela.
• 5 March – Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Panama as the nation honored President Chavez on the first anniversary of his death. President Maduro, in an address at the Montana Barracks in Caracas, accused Panama of pushing for regional organizations to intervene in Venezuela as it had asked the Organization of American States for an investigation into the protests. Hours after President Maduro called on the UBCH (Bolivar and Chavez Battle Units), the communal councils, communes, and colectivos during his speech; attacks on an apartment building by some groups who shot at residents and the National Guard who fired tear gas at the building resulted in two deaths in Los Ruices, including a National Guardsman. Members of the National Guard and "colectivos" both attacked peaceful protesters in Caracas with the mayor of the municipality Ramón Muchacho confirming this and denouncing the actions of the National Guard that caused damage saying, "We could see how a well-identified tank of the National Guard deliberately rammed a parked car on a street." Groups on motorcycles in Baruta also "intimidated" protesters and destroyed an opposition barricade. Popular Will denounced that its headquarters in Maracaibo, Zulia state, was hampered with large amounts of garbage and debris. In Punto Fijo, Falcón state, 26 students were detained during the protests; one of them was violently beaten, fracturing his ribcage.
• 6 March – The Venezuelan government took Panama off the list of exchanging currency on the CADIVI website supposedly due to the tense relations with the country. Mayor of Miranda Henrique Capriles said President Maduro's calling for groups on 5 March was "irresponsible" and said to listeners, "Do you think that will solve the economic problems killing each other? No.". In Caracas, a National Guardsman dies during the protests and a car is set on fire.
• 7 March – The Penal Court brought 40 complaints of alleged human rights violations that occurred on 12 February to the government. A statue of Hugo Chávez in Yaracuy was set on fire.
• 8 March – Economic ties between Venezuela and Panama have ceased due to political differences. In order to "crush speculators", President Maduro introduced a new "Cuban-like" rationing system to Venezuela; a system that has struggled in Cuba because "the products offered are not sufficient and families must resort to the black market to survive".
• 9 March – Bus routes from stations in Altamira, Caracas were suspended indefinitely due to protests possibly affecting 25,000 commuters. Groups of people gathered at Los Ruices and created a mural of white hand prints to show support to victims in Los Ruices of abuse and excessive force that occurred on 7 March.
• 10 March – Hundreds of doctors and medical students protested the conditions in hospitals and medicine shortages. During the demonstration Deputy Minister of Health, Juana Contreras was effected by tear gas that the National Police fired to disperse the doctors and had to be assisted by the protesting doctors. Police in Anzoátegui entered classrooms at Santa Maria University and attacked students and professors inside of classrooms. A fire occurred at the radio station of University of Los Andes. A student leader, Daniel Tinoco, was killed in San Cristóbal; possibly by "colectivos" or National Guard in the area.
• 11 March – In several places in Caracas, bags representing body bags were placed to raise awareness about high rates of violence and impunity in Venezuela. In a protest in the Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, in Barquisimeto, six persons are injured and many cars burned. Many students denounced the presence of the National Guard accompanied by armed groups inside the university campus. Government supporters led by deputy Nancy Ascencia assaulted deputy María Cortina Machado and the Guayana city bishop, monsignor Mariano Parra, in the Puerto Ordaz airport after Machado participated in many protests with Guyanese students and politicians. President Maduro denounced that the Ministry of Public Works & Housing headquarters were attacked by "right wing violent groups" that damaged its facade and equipment among others.
• 12 March – The Caracas Metro closed seven stations due to safety concerns. UCV students (Central University of Venezuela in Spanish) and opposition protesters marched to Plaza Venezuela to demand Ombudswoman Gabriela Ramírez to resign. The police dispersed the protest with tear gas and water cannons. In Chacao, six tanks, two water cannon trucks and National Guardsmen with tear gas and buckshots dispersed protesters while playing audio of Hugo Chavez and audio of the National anthem of Cuba. NTN24 reported from a lawyer that National Guardsmen and individuals with "Cuban accents" in Mérida forced three arrested adolescents to confess to crimes they did not commit and then the adolescents "kneeled and were forced to raise their arms then shot with buckshot throughout their body" during an alleged "target practice". The governor of Carabobo state, Francisco Ameliach, reported that the National Guard captain, Ramos Ernesto Bracho Bravo, died after being shot in Valencia's highway. Two bystanders, one going to the store and one inside an apartment, were killed after being shot by several dozen colectivos on motorcycles who were attacking opposition protesters in Isabelica, Valencia. President Maduro denounced that violent groups of opposition protesters attacked the Britanic Tower in Altamira. The zone neighbors accused the destruction was caused by infiltrates who weren't detained by the authorities.
• 13 March – President Maduro said he will make announcements on how to "turn off" the "coup" and said "it is too late to sit down and talk with the MUD" and called Henrique Capriles "an incompetent bum" for his remarks.
• 14 March – Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Juaua accused United States Secretary of State John Kerry of being a murderer saying that he "activated" violent acts in Venezuela.
• 15 March – President Maduro accused the United States of "seeking the overthrowing of his government". He also acknowledged that 1529 people were detained, stated that 558 of them were students, and that 105 protesters had been caught carrying firearms. Students of Simón Bolívar University placed 3,000 empty chairs with crosses placed upon them to symbolize the number of people murdered in Venezuela during the first few months of 2014.
• 16 March – Thousands of opposition protesters marched against the alleged intervention of Cuba within Venezuelan internal affairs with claims including Cuba's intervention within "administrative, financial and military" sectors of the Venezuelan government including the National Armed Forces. A Chilean journalist denounced he was assaulted by the National Guard while he was recording the protests and detentions at the Altamira Square
• 17 March – After the Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Lieutenant General Miguel Rodríguez Torres announced the "liberation and pacification" of Altamira Square after days of protest actions, more than six hundred National Guardsmen were deployed in the district. The Association of University Teachers of the Central University of Venezuela (APUCV) voted for the removal of security forces with the president of APUCV saying, "The APUCV wants to make clear its demand to the federal government to respect the Constitution and stop segregating part of Venezuelan society to prevent the student mobilization to the Ombudsman to deliver a document" and that, "We denounce the presence not only of the repressive action of the security forces of the State, but the simultaneous presence of parallel and paramilitary organizations". The opposition deputy César Ramírez denounced that the police detained several students in de Caroní Municipality, Bolívar state. One of them, Bianca Rodríguez, was allegedly beaten, had her own excrements put into her mouth and threatened to be raped by the National Guard. A National Guard captain dies after being shot in the head in Maracay while on duty.
• 18 March – Groups of mothers gathered in Altamira Square and peacefully protested against the situation in Venezuela. Protesters marched to Ramo Verde prison one month after opposition leader Leopoldo López was arrested. During a press conference, President of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello said that the government accused María Corina Machado of 29 counts of murder due to the deaths resulting from the protests. A 18 years old student dies in Táchira during a shooting, while many other protesters were injured.
• 19 March – Mothers continued to peacefully protest chanting, "We want to free children" in Altamira Square. Students began to have a class in Altamira Square when a professor started teaching a math class to students in the area. In Rubio, president of the Municipal Council Rubio reported that about 150 protesters gathered and were shot at by National Guard that left bullet wounds and injuries that included two children of 1 and 3 years old respectively. A Services Corporation worker was killed while he was clearing a barricade in Caracas. Colectivos entered inside the Architecture and Urbanism Faculty of the CUV, beating students and damaging the facilities. The students were also robbed and had their clothing taken away. The university rector, Cecilia García Arocha, informed that the classes would be suspended temporally due to the recent violence.
• 20 March – Miguel Rodríguez Torres announced the demilitarization of the Altamira Square and that its responsibility was returned to the local area police "after the liberation of the public spaces". Opposition mayor Vicencio Scarano Spisso was tried and sentenced to ten and a half months of jail for failing to comply with a court order to take down barricades in his municipality which resulted in various deaths and injuries in the previous days. María Corina Machado responded to legal accusations made against her saying, "In a dictatorship, the weaker the regime is, the greater the repression". Deputy Dario Vivas said that once María Corina Machado returns to Venezuela from her meeting with the OAS, she will not have any immunity. President Nicolás Maduro gifted new cars to National Guardsmen for recognition of their services.
• 21 March – Adán Chávez, older brother of Hugo Chávez, has joined the government's effort of criticizing opposition mayors who have supported the protest actions, stating that they "could end up like Scarano and Ceballos" by being charged for various cases.
• 22 March – Thousands of opposition protestors demonstrated throughout Venezuela in the cities of Caracas, Mérida, Barquisimeto, San Cristóbal, Zulia, Cumaná, Valencia, Bolívar and Coro. Caracas had one of the largest demonstrations where thousands of opposition protesters gathered in a protest called "Por la Libertad". Both opposition and government supporters protests rallied in the capital city Caracas to protest for the release of political prisoners and against the alleged vandalism and destruction caused by opposition protesters respectively in their designated venues. María Corina Machado was arrested when she arrived at Maiquetia Airport but was later released. Argenis Hernandez died in hospital after being shot in the stomach in Valencia. A bus driver died after being shot by a group of hooded gunmen in San Cristóbal. Another protester was hit by a bullet in Mérida during a shoot out and died minutes after arriving at the hospital.
• 23 March – Panama's ambassador in the OAS, Arturo Vallarino, granted international immunity to María Corina Machado as a diplomatic officer Protests inside of the Centro Comercial Galerías Mall in Maracaibo continued. A worker from the state-run Corpoelec shot at protesters injuring one woman and killing a pregnant reporter working for Venevision in Los Teques, Miranda state.
• 24 March - President Maduro blamed all of the deaths during the protest on the "coup" attempt. A group of 70 young protesters set up tents near the entrance of the United Nations headquarters in Los Palos Grandes. Speaker Diosdado Cabello announced that María Corina Machado no longer has access to being in the National Assembly as a deputy, therefore expelling her in accordance with the Assembly rules and in compliance with Articles 149 and 191 of the Constitution of Venezuela, which states that "public officials shall not be permitted to accept employment, honors or rewards from foreign governments without authorization from the National Assembly” and that “deputies of the National Assembly shall not be permitted to accept or hold public employment positions without giving up their investiture(…)”. María Corina Machado said that she would be deputy as long as the people wanted her to be.
• 25 March - President Maduro announced that three Venezuelan Air Force generals were arrested for allegedly planning a "coup" against the government and supporting the protests, and will be charged accordingly. On the same day, Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace Miguel Rodríguez Torres accused opposition mayor Daniel Ceballos of being financially backed by Colombia to conspire against Maduro's government and for using it to support the protests.
• 26 March - María Corina Machado arrived in Venezuela protected by three representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, Martín Belaúnde, Luis Galarreta and Cecilia Chacón, with Galarreta saying, "We came to support Maria Corina Machado by this unusual and unacceptable arbitrariness that you want to do". President Maduro said that the United Socialist Party of Venezuela has already chosen candidates to possibly replace arrested officials through an election that he said "we will win".
• 27 March - In Sucre, groups of people protested due to a lack of water in the area. 225 military officers rejected the allegations against the three air force generals, saying that to bring them before a martial court "would be violating their constitutional rights, as it is essential first to submit a preliminary hearing" and asked the National Guard "to be limited to fulfill its functions under Articles 320, 328 and 329 of the Constitution and cease their illegal repressive activities of public order" against the protest actions. Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza said that a national human rights council was created and "will receive all complaints of alleged assaults". In Maracaibo, colectivos attempted to rape individuals in an apartment complex without intervention from National Guardsmen stationed in the area.
• 28 March - Members of the Student Movement gathered at the Bello Monte morgue to recite the Our Father in respect to the fallen. Protesters blocked traffic on Francisco de Miranda Avenue. Colectivos attacked the Popular Will headquarters in Maracaibo burning it.
• 29 March- Three protests took place in Caracas in the areas of Altamira, Los Cortijos and Las Mercedes. Protesters in Carabobo blocked Bolívar Avenue while demonstrating against the government. While protesting just outside of Valencia in Carabobo, hundreds of protesters were shot at with buckshot and tear gas by police. Henrique Capriles criticized President Maduro saying that while Venezuelans die, the president "sleeps like a baby while everything happens", mocking a statement President Maduro said to CNN during an interview with Christiane Amanpour.
• 30 March - In San Cristóbal, tear gas engulfed the city where clashes between protesters and police took place since 4AM. Maria Corina Machado regretted the attacks from the previous night against residents in Tachira that had their homes allegedly attacked with gunfire, stones and tear gas by the National Guard and police.
• 31 March - Student protesters placed tents outside the entrance of the UN headquarters in Caracas asking why it has not given the country attention. Students of the Central University of Venezuela blocked the Francisco Fajardo Highway while protesting. Deputies and students called for a gathering the next day to accompany María Corina Machado to a National Assembly meeting.

Domestic reactions

Government

Policemen from the Bolivarian National Police watching protesters in Maracaibo.

The Venezuelan government suggests that the protesters want to repeat the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt. President Maduro has a history of creating conspiracies regularly accusing his opponents of attempting a "coup" and has hardly ever shown evidence to back his allegations. President Maduro also calls the opposition "fascists" when in fact their two popular leaders, Henrique Capriles and Leopoldo Lopez, both have slightly left beliefs. The Venezuelan government claimed that the United States government is actively supporting the opposition and has been accused of meddling with Venezuelan affairs by trying to destabilize President Maduro through its "soft coup" tactic. President Nicolás 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." Maduro also claimed that the government of Panama was interfering with the Venezuelan government too. 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".

Militant groups known as "colectivos", who are accused of attacking opposition TV staff, sending death threats to journalists, and tear-gassing the Vatican envoy after Hugo Chávez accused these groups of intervening with his government, helped assist the government during the protests. These "colectivos" are able to act violently against the opposition, usually without impediment from Venezuelan government forces. President Maduro publicly thanked colectivos for their help against protesters and said that he would "continue to need their help". Colectivos have been called a "fundamental pillar in the defense of the homeland" by the Venezuelan prison minister, Iris Varela. The National Boliviarian Militia, a "political army" created by Hugo Chávez that has hundreds of thousands of members in service, including military reservists and employees of state and public enterprises. The militia also supports the government and its members are "under the direct command of the president" as the Commander in Chief of the National Armed Forces and "are trained to defend the (Bolivarian) revolution of internal and external enemies" which sometimes includes "violence to silence dissent or journalists who do not bow to the discourse of the regime".

Venezuelan security forces have committed extensive human rights violations against protesters and journalists. El Nacional claimed that the objective of those attacking opposition protesters is to kill since many of the protesters that were killed were shot in vulnerable areas like the head and that, "9 of the 15 dead people were from the 12F demonstrators, who were injured by state security forces or paramilitaries linked to the ruling party." NTN24 reported that some protesters were allegedly tortured and raped by government forces who detained them during the protests. A lawyer reported that National Guardsmen and individuals with "Cuban accents" in Mérida forced three arrested adolescents to confess to crimes they did not commit and then the adolescents "kneeled and were forced to raise their arms then shot with buckshot throughout their body" during an alleged "target practice". El Universal has claimed that Melvin Collazos of SEBIN, and Jonathan Rodríquez a bodyguard of the Minister of the Interior and Justice Miguel Rodríguez Torres, are in custody after shooting unarmed, fleeing, protesters several times in violation of protocol.

Tear gas being used against opposition protesters in Altamira, Caracas.

President Maduro has organized pro-government demonstrations to counter the opposition and announced that violent anti-government protests are prohibited. On 17 February 2014, Francisco Ameliach, governor of Carabobo, announced that protest marches are not allowed in the neighborhoods located south of the city of Valencia, due to security concerns. He warned from his Twitter account that the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Diosdado Cabello may order the Bolivar and Chavez Battle Units (UBCH) to attack protesters saying, "Gringos (Americans) and fascists beware". On the same day, armed government intelligence personnel illegally forced their way into the headquarters of Popular Will in Caracas and held individuals that were inside at gunpoint.

Sukhoi fighter jets of the Venezuelan Air Force were seen flying over San Cristóbal, Táchira, Venezuela on 20 February and President Nicolas Maduro ordered paratroopers of the 41st Airborne Brigade, 4th Armored Division, Venezuelan Army on standby on recommendations from the Minister of Interior and Justice, Lieutenant General Miguel Rodríguez Torres. Personnel from the Bolivarian National Police and the Venezuelan National Guard were also seen firing weapons and bombs on buildings where opposition protesters were gathered. During a press conference, Minister of the Interior and Justice Miguel Rodriguez Torres denied allegations of Cuban special forces known as the "Black Wasps" of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces assisting the Venezuelan government with protests saying that the only Cubans in Venezuela were helping with medicine and sports. The allegations that members of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces were in Venezuela began when many people reported images of a military transport plane deploying uniformed soldiers alleged to be Cuban.

During a news conference on 21 February, Maduro once again accused the United States and NATO of trying to overthrow his government through media and claimed that Elias Jaua will be able to prove it. President Maduro asked United States president Barack Obama for help with negotiations. Maduro also announced that those SEBIN personnel who fired at protesters have been arrested for their actions. President Maduro decreed 27 February as "The Day of No Work in Venezuela" in respect for the fallen of the protests (that date was also the 25th year anniversary of the historic Caracazo of 1989). Also, during a public speech at the Miraflores Palace, President Maduro spoke out against the media, international artists, and criticized the President of the United States saying, "I invoke Obama and his African American spirit, to give the order to respect Venezuela."

Protesters responding to tear gas.

On 23 February, about 30 military units arrived at the residence of retired brigadier general Ángel Vivas to arrest him for "training" protestors to place barbed wire over the roads to injure government forces and pro-government protestors, resulting in one fatality in the process and many more wounded. According to CBC, Vivas "rose to prominence in 2007 when he resigned as head of the Defence Ministry's engineering department rather than order his subalterns to swear to the Cuban-inspired oath 'Socialist Fatherland or death'." Vivas reported that "Cubans and thugs" were attacking his house and moments later appeared atop the roof of his house wearing a flak jacket along with an assault rifle saying "Come find me Maduro!". National Guardsmen made a barricade in front of Vivas' house but neighbors and supporters defended Vivas by placing a barricade of vehicles in front of the troops. The troops retreated without arresting Vivas after the citizens refused to leave the area. According to reporter Berenice Gomez for Radio Caracas, the daughters of Hugo Chavez and the family of Diosdado Cabello have fled the country on a private jet to stay in Argentina. It was reported that the Venezuelan National Guard was firing both buckshot at protestors. Images were also released showing members of the People's Guard in Carabobo beating a woman and an elderly man with rifles. The military set up a field hospital at Juan Vicente Gómez International Airport in San Antonio del Táchira to treat casualties of the protest actions.

National Guard vehicles on the street.

S-125 Neva/Pechora anti-aircraft missiles being transported by truck were seen heading toward Caracas via the Autopista Regional del Centro. Operational Strategic Command Commander General Vladimir Padrino López announced that the Russian-made air defense missiles had just arrived into the country and were being transported by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces towards the capital city. The Government of Venezuela held a National Peace conference on 26 February that was not attended by opposition figures because according to the opposition, "any talks must be predicated on an agenda agreed upon in advance and the participation of a third party". President Maduro criticized international artists and celebrities saying, "They think because they are famous and we like their songs, they can determine what to do with the country, they were wrong about Venezuela, Venezuela is to be respected." On 27 February, the government issued an arrest warrant for Carlos Vecchio, a leader of Popular Will on various charges. On 1 March the Venezuelan Attorney General, Luisa Ortega, denied the opposition's claims of students being the main target of the Venezuelan government, when in fact they represent 35% of all detainees. She also stated that at least 27 government agents are being investigated for violations against human rights, plus another five accused of killing three people on the first day of protests. Meanwhile, President Maduro announced that a National Guard officer had died and another two had been wounded by sniper fire. On 2 March, the National Guard used tear gas on protesters and played loud music to prevent them from being heard.

During the last few weeks of March, the government began making accusations and arresting government leaders. Opposition mayor Vicencio Scarano Spisso was tried and sentenced to ten and a half months of jail for failing to comply with a court order to take down barricades in his municipality which resulted in various deaths and injuries in the previous days. Adán Chávez, older brother of Hugo Chávez, has joined the government's effort of criticizing opposition mayors who have supported the protest actions, stating that they "could end up like Scarano and Ceballos" by being charged for various cases. During a press conference, President of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello said that the government accused María Corina Machado of 29 counts of murder due to the deaths resulting from the protests. 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. The accusations were called by David Smilde of the Washington Office on Latin America as a way of unity and said, "When you talk about conspiracies, it's basically a way of rallying the troops. It's a way of saying this is no time for dissent". 225 Venezuelan military officers rejected the allegations against the three air force generals saying being immediately brought to military court "would be violating their constitutional rights, as it is essential first to submit a preliminary hearing" and asked the National Guard "to be limited to fulfill its functions under Articles 320, 328 and 329 of the Constitution and cease their illegal activities repression of public order". The allegations against the air force generals were also seen by former Venezuelan officials and commanders as a "media maneuver" to gain support from UNASUR since President Maduro timed it for the meeting and was not able to give details.

Opposition

María Corina Machado and Lilian Tintori at an opposition gathering.

Organized opposition protests began during the month of February. On 1 February when Leopoldo Lopez called upon college students to protest peacefully against the scarcity, insecurity, and shortages that had occurred in the country. The next day, opposition leaders Leopoldo Lopez and María Corina Machado decide for the march to be on 12 February during Venezuela's National Youth Day celebrations, also commemorating the bicentennial year of the 1814 Battle of La Victoria. The opposition demonstrations that followed have been called by some as "Middle Class Protests". 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 have allegedly killed some opposition protesters too.

On 15 February, the father of Leopoldo Lopez said "They are looking for Leopoldo, my son, but in a very civilized way" after his house was searched through by the government. The next day, Popular Will leader Leopoldo Lopez announced that he would turn himself in to the Venezuelan government after one more protest saying, "I haven't committed any crime. If there is a decision to legally throw me in jail I'll submit myself to this persecution." On 18 February, Lopez explained during his speech how he could have left the country, but "stayed to fight for the oppressed people in Venezuela". Lopez surrendered to police after giving his speech and was transferred to the Palacio de Justicia in Caracas where his hearing was postponed until the next day. Human Rights Watch demanded the immediate release of Lopez saying, "The arrest of Leopoldo López is an atrocious violation of one of the most basic principles of due process: you cannot imprison someone without evidence linking him with a crime". Hackers from multiple countries, including the internet vigilante group Anonymous, have infiltrated Venezuelan government websites due to the alleged repression and censorship of the people in Venezuela. A member of Anonymous said, "I would say this is one of the biggest cooperative operations involving South American Anons and Anons from the rest of the world to date" when members of another hacker group, LulzSec Peru, also hacked into the government's United Socialist Party of Venezuela Twitter official account.

A barricade at Altamira Square in Caracas.

On 19 February, the MUD leader Henrique Capriles came from his silence that evening confronting Francisco Ameliach, government officials and denouncing the violence the government was using on the protesters. Henrique Capriles said he did not attend the National Peace Conference on 26 February because he did not want dialogue until he saw "results" from the government saying that, "it is the government that has to listen to our people, not the people listen to the government". In response to the death of Miss Tourism Venezuela Génesis Carmona, groups of women planned to defend the family of Génesis and protest her killing on 22 February. Juan Requesens, leader of a student movement, called on the Catholic Church to mediate the situation in the country and help guarantee that human rights of Venezuelans will not be violated in the future. Leopoldo Lopez also had murder charges dropped during a hearing inside a bus outside of Ramo Verde Prison. On 21 February, Leopoldo Lopez said to his supporters from prison, "I'm fine, I ask you not to give up, I won't," while President Maduro replied to protesters, "I recommend they buy some stainless steel pots to last for a good 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, because the revolution is here for a long time!" Henrique Capriles showed support for Lopez saying, "Leopoldo Lopez is innocent, what they have done with Leopoldo is to feed the tension" and called student protests in the street "peaceful". Ángel Vivas, a retired Venezuelan general, explained why he thought Venezuelans need to defend the country from foreigners, saying "Cubans are in all structures of the Venezuelan state" and also explained that he told protesters to set up barricades in order to defend themselves against attacks from the National Guard.

The student leader at University of the Andes marched with protesters and delivered a document to the Cuban Embassy saying, "Let's go to the Cuban Embassy to ask them to stop Cuban interference in Venezuela. We know for a fact that Cubans are in the barracks' and Miraflores giving instructions to suppress the people." A video was released of an opposition protester who gave hugs to an entire line of government personnel and even received a few hugs back.

Opposition medic tending to a protester.

Opposition protests continued through the month of March. Beaches that are typically full of celebrations during the beginning of lent for Carnaval were empty due to the opposition protests. Protests continued during the Carnaval holiday after President Nicolas Maduro declared nearly a week of holiday events. A group of women by the name "Mujeres por la Vida" gathered to remind Venezuelans of those killed during the protest with opposition leader María Corina Machado saying, "Mr. Maduro and his regime, want to bury the faces of young Venezuelans who have been killed for their repression, their memory and their names, and thus their guilt in each of these events that have left wounded, killed, persecuted and tortured". On 22 March, thousands of opposition protestors demonstrated throughout Venezuela in the cities of Caracas, Mérida, Barquisimeto, San Cristóbal, Zulia, Cumaná, Valencia, Bolívar and Coro. Caracas had one of the largest demonstrations where thousands of opposition protesters gathered in a protest called "Por la Libertad". Both opposition and government supporters protests were convoked in the capital city Caracas to protest for the release of political prisoners and against the alleged vandalism and destruction caused by opposition protesters respectively. María Corina Machado was arrested when she arrived at Maiquetia Airport but was later released.

Media

Domestic media

The Inter American Press Association protested against the "official censorship" of media by the government in Venezuela which included blocking the internet, banning channels, revoking foreign media credentials, harassing reporters and limiting resources for newspapers. The Association of Foreign News Correspondents in Venezuela also accused the government of assault, abuse, harassment, threats and robberies of reporters. The National Union of Journalists (SNTP) in Venezuela has said the has been more than 120 attacks on journalists and that there has been "53 complaints of harassment, 25 work teams robberies and audiovisual material, 24 physical assaults, 23 detentions of reporters, cameramen and photographers".

Media coverage in Venezuela has been limited by the government; "anti-government television stations such as RCTV and Globovision had their licenses revoked and were forced to undergo changes in ownership, respectively." The government has, according to the opposition, "a powerful structure of radio stations, television stations and newspapers to have a communicational hegemony with their public funds" and does not provide reliable information from the Central Bank about the economy or any statistics about crime to journalists.

A group of Venezuelan artists have joined a group called "Eco", to speak out against violations and crimes that have happened in Venezuela during the protests. VTV made a satirical parody of the videos made by the Eco group without any regard to the victims and dead from the protests.

On 15 March, President of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello announced a new commission called the "Truth Commission" whose establishment was ordered by the president in order to show videos and images of "where fascism is."

Foreign media

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights said that, "Documenting the protests has been a challenge for members of the media and NGO's as the government has stifled the flow of information" and that "Journalists have been threatened and arrested, and had their equipment confiscated or had materials erased from their equipment." Equipment belonging to CNN was "stolen at gunpoint" and possibly destroyed by government forces. Those reporting the protests feel threatened by President Maduro who has created "an increasingly asphyxiating climate" for them. Television stations in Venezuela have hardly displayed live coverage of protests and had resulted in many opposition viewers moving to CNN.

President Maduro threatened to force CNN out of Venezuela saying, "I've asked the (information) minister to tell CNN we have started the administrative process to remove them from Venezuela if they don't rectify (their behavior). Enough! I won't accept war propaganda against Venezuela." On 21 February, the government revoked press credentials of seven CNN journalists with CNN responding to the government by saying, "CNN has reported both sides of the tense situation in Venezuela, even with very limited access to government officials ... We hope the government will reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, we will continue reporting on Venezuela in the fair, accurate and balanced manner we are known for."

On 25 February, President Maduro proposed taking CNN of the cable grid and replacing it with Zum TV, a "Venezuelan youth channel" saying about CNN, "There is a case against the illegal practices of sponsoring violence and terrorism ... you replace the CNN channel that wants terrorist violence, lying about Venezuela, bringing the civil war and justifying foreign intervention and would rather give the world a peaceful channel like Zum TV ".

Censorship

Main article: Censorship in Venezuela

Protester holding a sign against the alleged government censorship in Venezuelan media.

The secretary general of Reporters Without Borders said in a letter to President Maduro condemning the alleged censorship by the Venezuelan government and responding to Delcy Rodríguez who denied attacks on journalists by saying, "I can assure you that the cases documented by Reporters Without Borders and other NGOs such as Espacio Público, IPYS and Human Rights Watch were not imagined." According to Spanish newspaper El País, National Telecommunications Commission of Venezuela (Conatel) warned Internet service providers in Venezuela that they, "must comply without delay with orders to block websites with content contrary to the interests of the Government" in order to prevent "destabilization and unrest". It was also reported by El País that there will be possible automations of DirecTV, CANTV, Movistar and possible regulation of YouTube and Twitter.

CANTV, a government-run company that handles most Internet traffic in Venezuela, allegedly blocked images on Twitter for a short time. Twitter spokesman Nu Wexler confirmed this, but CANTV denied these accusations saying that they did not have control since Twitter servers are out of their hands. CANTV also shut off internet access to more than one million citizens of San Cristóbal, Táchira, after President Maduro threatened Táchira that he would "go all in" and that citizens "would be surprised".

It is believed that the internet blockage by the government is directed at the opposition since it prevented live coverage of government crackdowns with Zello announcing that CANTV blocked the use of its walkie-talkie app that was used by opposition protesters. In an interview with La Patilla, Chief Technology Officer of Zello, Alexey Gavrilov, said that after they opened four new servers for Venezuela, it still appeared that the same direct blocking from CANTV is the cause of the Zello outage. The Venezuelan government said Zello was blocked due to "terrorist acts" and statements by TeleSUR about radical opposition after the government monitored staged messages from "internet trolls" that used a Honeypot trap against authorities.

During her speech at the National Assembly, María Corina Machado had the camera taken off of her while she was presenting those who were killed and while criticizing Luisa Ortega Díaz saying, "I heard the testimony of Juan Manuel Carrasco who was raped and tortured and the Attorney General of this country has the inhuman condition to deny and even mock". The Colombian news channel NTN24 was taken off the air by CONATEL (the Venezuelan government agency appointed for the regulation, supervision and control over telecommunications) for "promoting violence". President Maduro also denounced the Agence France-Presse (AFP) for manipulating information about the protests. After an opposition Twitter campaign asked participants of the Oscar ceremony to speak out in support of them, for the first time in decades, state television channel VTV did not show The Oscars, where Jared Leto showed solidarity with the opposition "dreamers" when he won his award. A cameraman who resigned from Globovisión shared images that were censored by the news agency showing National Guard troops and colectivos working together during the protests.

Social media

Social media is an essential tool for Venezuelans to show the news in the streets, which contradicts most official news from the government and most stories have to be compiled together from cell phone videos on small websites. The popularity of social media to some Venezuelans is due to a lack of trust, supposed propaganda from state owned media and alleged "self-censorship" that private media now uses in order to please the government. According to Mashable, Twitter is very popular in Venezuela and according to an opposition figure, "Venezuela is a dictatorship, and the only free media is Twitter," Protesters use Twitter since "traditional media" has been unable to cover the protests and so that, "the international community can notice what's happening and help us spread the word in every corner," However, the government has been accused of using Twitter as a propaganda tool when it allegedly "purchased followers, created fake accounts to boost pro-government hashtags, and hired a group of users to harass critics" and claiming protesters were "fascists" that were trying to commit a "coup d'état".

False media

"The social networks have come to be an alternative media," states Tarek Yorde, a Caracas-based political analyst. "But both sides, the government and opposition, use them to broadcast false information." Some photographs, often outdated or from protests in various countries around the world including Syria, Chile and Singapore, have been circulated by the opposition through social media to foment dissent.

Usage of false media also applies to the government when President of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, shared a photo on a VTV program showing an alleged "gun collection" at the home of Ángel Vivas, when it was really a photo taken from an airsoft gun website. Minister of Tourism, Andrés Izarra, also used old images of crowded ferries from August 2013 trying to indicate that life is back to normal in Venezuela and a massive mobilization of ferries are on their way to Margarita Island. Student protesters contested the statement, saying there is no Carnaval celebrations on the island and that "here there is nothing to celebrate; Venezuela is mourning". President Maduro allegedly played an edited video in a specific way in order to accuse mayor of Chacao of promoting barricades.

International reactions

Supranational bodies

• Bolivarian Alliance – rejected violence and supported Maduro's government.

• Caribbean Community – condemned the violence during the protests, calls for respect for the democratically elected government and Maduro. CARICOM said that every citizen has the right to peacefully express their views within the constitutional framework. The statement also called for dialogue between the parties.

• European Union – is deeply concerned about the incidents that took place in Caracas on 12 February, including the death of at least three people during protests and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to peacefully resolve the crisis. On 27 February, the European Parliament said, "Only respect for fundamental rights, constructive and respectful dialogue and tolerance can help Venezuela to find a way out of its current violent crisis".

• Mercosur – rejected "the criminal actions of violent groups that want to spread intolerance and hatred in Venezuela as a political tool". The statement called for further dialogue in Venezuela on national issues, and send condolences to the families of those killed.

• Organization of American States – Secretary General José Miguel Insulza said that, "The Catholic Church or foreign ministers of South American countries could mediate between the government and the opposition in Venezuela". They also rejected violence, called for avoiding confrontation, called for a broad dialogue with respect for the law and also asked to investigate the deaths.

• Union of South American Nations – expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government and the families of victims, rejected the "attempt to destabilize legitimately constituted democracy" and they also called for peace. However, on 17 February 2014, UNSAR stated "We urge Venezuela to respect the democratic principles that are anchored in the process of regional integration." On 8 March, UNASUR said they would have a meeting of foreign ministers to talk about the unrest in Venezuela. The Chancellor of Ecuador, Ricardo Patiño, said a commission of the Union of South American Nations will hold a meeting in Caracas the 25 and 26 March to accompany the political dialogue.

• United Nations – is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Venezuela, including the death of at least three people during protests and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to peacefully resolve the crisis. OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva: “We have also received worrying reports of intimidation of journalists, some of whom have had their equipment seized, as well as reports that some local and international journalists were attacked while covering the protests. In addition, some protestors have reportedly been detained and may be prosecuted on terrorism charges. It has also been reported that some protesters, including minors, are being denied contact with family or lawyers”. United Nations Secretary of State Ban Ki-moon said that he, "urged Venezuelan authorities to listen to the legitimate aspirations of those protesting" and made no mentions of the National Peace Conference that President Maduro held. On 10 March, the United Nations received new allegations of torture with Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Convention against Torture, Juan Mendez, saying, "We want them to be thoroughly investigated; the tortures are very, very severe," and that, "We found the report credible enough to initiate such communication, but of course we are waiting for the government response." Méndez continued his statements saying that Leopoldo Lopez is in solitary confinement in a "dangerous" prison and that, "Mr. Lopez is accused of inciting the violent demonstrations and do so on behalf of foreign powers. The government has to prove it, but meanwhile, the act of stopping someone who has organized a peaceful demonstration, and just because some of the parts of this demonstration were violent, it seems excessive".

Governments

• Argentina – Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, "After recent events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Argentine government reiterates its strong support for the constitutional government elected by the citizens of that country, and notes the clear efforts of destabilization that confront institutional order in our brother nation" and explained the "priority" of countries in the region to have "an active solidarity and common defense against the actions of authoritarian groups, corporations and those linked to financial and production speculation".

• Australia – Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Australian member of parliament Melissa Parke denounced the violent actions committed by the Venezuelan government and said, "The suppression of the media and the erosion of the rule of law in Venezuela is a very worrying step in the wrong direction for this once prosperous country. In my view, the government-led violence against civilians and the control of the media have no place in a peaceful and democratic Venezuela.

• Bolivia – accused the opposition of staging a "coup".

• Brazil – Brazilian officials close to the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, said she was "disappointed" with some of President Maduro's acts and was worried about the "Venezuelan government's repression of recent street protests, and Maduro's refusal to hold genuine dialogue with opposition leaders" and spoke cautiously in order to be able to keep in dialogue with President Maduro. Foreign Minister of Brazil, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, said that the government pays close attention to the Venezuelan situation and hoped that a convergence can be found, he also expressed hopes that the riots will stop and lamented on behalf of the Brazilian government, the loss of life and the destroyed property during demonstrations.

• Canada – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, John Baird, said "We are alarmed by the increasing violence and arrests, injuries and deaths during protests. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims ", he asked that all detainees, all deaths and reports of abuses by the government security forces are investigated.

• Chile – Former President of the Republic of Chile Sebastián Piñera said, "We call on all parties to act in the way democracy is to respect the liberties, freedom of expression and human rights of all citizens by the government, and respect the rule of law and peace manifested by citizens," Chile also regretted the deaths in Caracas and expressed its condolences to the people and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, especially the families of the victims. Chile also encourages an "open and constructive dialogue". The Embassy of Chile accepted reports from some opposition members "that collects the continuing violations of human rights that have exposed thousands of Venezuelans," with Chilean ambassador Mauricio Ugalde saying, "I formally request that at the next meeting of UNASUR, the learning that has been left by the Chilean people, their incessant struggle for investigation and defense of human rights characterized their position in the Venezuelan conflict".

• China – Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Hua Chunying said, "We believe that the Venezuelan government and its people have the ability to properly manage their internal affairs, maintain national stability and promote social and economic development" and urged the United States and Venezuela to improve relations saying, "We hope that both sides adhere to the principles of equality and mutual respect, increase dialogue and improve relations. This kind of mutual respect and equal footing serves the interests of both countries and contributes to the overall development of the entire Latin American region".

• Colombia – President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos was concerned and said, "From Colombia, I would like to call for calm, for opening channels of communication among the different political forces in Venezuela in order to ensure the stability of the country and respect for institutions and fundamental freedoms". Colombia also deplored the violence and expressed condolences to the families, the people and the Venezuelan government. Also called for dialogue and said that Venezuela's stability is important to Colombia, Venezuela itself and the region. Colombia, the United States and other countries have also been in talks about potentially mediating in Venezuela.

• Costa Rica – The Costa Rican government deplored the violence, called on the Venezuelan authorities to "investigate and establish responsibilities for the victims and wounded," said he has hopes that "being resolved by way of dialogue and understanding" are achieved and that is a matter that concerns Costa Rica but that Venezuelans should resolve without interference. The Legislature of Costa Rica also expressed that they were "appalled by the climate of violence, intolerance and the arrest and prosecution lifting immunity without just cause or process attached to the rule of law democratically elected political leaders, civil society leaders, students and opposition leaders" and called for "national, regional and other actors to make an appeal to parliaments real, independent and constructive dialogue based on enforceable commitments in respect of international law".

• Cuba – The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Venezuelan opposition as "coup attempts" and expressed solidarity with the government of Maduro.

• Denmark – President of the Parliament of Denmark, Mogens Lykketoft, said in a meeting with Mexico that they wanted to "contribute towards a solution" to the situation in Venezuela.

• Ecuador – President of Ecuador Rafael Correa expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government, said the vast majority of the Venezuelan people are not violent but honest and hardworking. Ecuador also condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the Maduro government.

• Germany – Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, saw "great concern" with the violence and spokesman of the German Foreign Ministry, Sawsan Chebli, said, "We must respect the right to peaceful protest . Criminalization of protesters and opponents and the use of military forces are not the right steps towards a peaceful solution." concluding that, "This call is primarily directed to the Venezuelan government".

• Guatemala – The Government of Guatemala said that it "rejects violence and promotes citizen security and stability in the country. Likewise, believes that at all times the democratic institutions and the full respect for human rights must be guaranteed" and asked for "dialogue among all sectors". The Congress of Guatemala said that "it is evident that there are attacks on the press and free speech by censoring news and digital media such as social networks and others that do not allow the diffusion of the real situation" and expressed "opposition to any measure of government persecution and repression by groups protected by the government against political parties, civil movements and citizens who peacefully express their discontent.

• Guyana – Government of Guyana rejected the violence in Venezuela, expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government and states that it fully supports its efforts to contain the destabilizing actions.

• Iran – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham condemned vandalism, the murder of innocent civilians, destroying of public property and any other actions that creates instability for Venezuela. She also said the that Venezuela has the full support of Iran "to strengthen peace, friendship and enhance democracy and the stable development" of Venezuela.

• Mexico – The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs said that they regretted the violence, expressed its condolences to the families of the dead and said, "any differences should be resolved within the framework of dialogue, the respect for institutions and international law,".

• Nicaragua – accused the "fascist right" of violence and expressed their support for the government of Maduro.

• Panama – Foreign Minister of Panama, Francisco Alvarez de Soto, said his government is concerned about the Venezuelan situation and understands that it is an internal process but Panama wishes for peace, tolerance and dialogue. President Maduro accused Panama of pushing for regional organizations to intervene in Venezuela and on 5 March severed diplomatic relations. President Ricardo Martinelli has called on Venezuela not to default on its debt that tops US$1billion because of severed diplomatic relations.

• Peru – President of the Republic of Peru Ollanta Humala said, "I call upon the Government of Venezuela, its authorities, its political forces and citizens, to make maximum efforts for democracy and respect for the rights of all persons, regardless of their political position prevails," and concluded his statement saying, "Defend the climate of peace because peace can only strengthen our democracies, build prosperity and development for our peoples," Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they are deeply concerned with the violence in Venezuela. They recommended dialogue between groups with respect to democratic values and human rights. Peru also shared condolences for the victims and those injured in the protests. Three members of the Congress of Peru, Martín Belaúnde, Luis Galarreta and Cecilia Chacón, helped shelter opposition leader María Corina Machado when she arrived in Venezuela with Galarreta saying, "We came to support Maria Corina Machado by this unusual and unacceptable arbitrariness that you want to do,"

• Russia – expressed concern about the unrest in Venezuela and also trusts that the government of Maduro will preserve the constitutional order. Russia also shows its "solidarity with the government and people, and strong support for the policy that aims to prevent the destabilization of a nation".

• Spain – The Spanish Congress of Deputies asked the Venezuelan government to respect democracy, human rights and to end "all forms of harassment towards the peaceful opposition". They also asked for the government to stop paramilitary groups from being able to, "act with impunity attacking protesters and activists of the Venezuelan opposition" and for President Maduro to stop the "harassment of the media critical of his regime"

• Suriname – condemned the violence and called on its South American neighbor to let democracy prevail.

• Syria – President of Syria Bashar al-Assad expressed his support in a letter to Maduro, to reject the "attempt to sow chaos" in both Syria and Venezuela, expressing confidence that Venezuela will surpass this experience with the achievements and legacy of former president Hugo Chávez.

• United Kingdom – Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom, William Hague said that the Government of the United Kingdom is "very concerned about the violence" in the demonstrations and "reports of arrests of opposition activists" and said that the Venezuelan government should uphold "freedom of the press and opinion".

• United States – President of the United States Barack Obama stated, "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." and called on Venezuela to release detained protesters. President Obama also said, "Along with the Organization of American States, we call on the Venezuelan government to release protesters it has detained and engage in real dialogue." Vice President of the United States Joe Biden called the situation "alarming", accused the government of, "Confronting peaceful protesters with force and in some cases with armed vigilantes; limiting the freedoms of press and assembly necessary for legitimate political debate; demonizing and arresting political opponents; and dramatically tightening restrictions on the media" and said that instead of working on dialogue, "Maduro has thus far tried to distract his people from the profound issues at stake in Venezuela by concocting totally false and outlandish conspiracy theories about the United States." United States Secretary of State John Kerry expressed grievances towards affected families of the violence and is "particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protesters and issued an arrest warrant for Leopoldo Lopez". Days later, John Kerry said, "The government's use of force and judicial intimidation against citizens and political figures, who are exercising a legitimate right to protest, is unacceptable and will only increase the likelihood of violence." On 5 March, John Kerry said that the United States is ready to place sanctions on Venezuela if the OAS does not get involved with dialogue. The Venezuelan government ordered three United States diplomats out of the country, blaming them of organizing the protests in order to overthrow the government, and the U.S. responded on 25 February by expelling three Venezuelan diplomats from their country. Cuban-American members of the United States Congress have been pushing for the United States to place sanctions on Venezuela, who imports more than 30% of their goods from the United States. However, President Obama may only issue individual sanctions on Venezuelan officials. John F. Kelly, United States Marine Corps general and Commander of the United States Southern Command, said to a Senate committee that in Venezuela, "It is a situation that is obviously just coming apart in front us, and unless there is some type of a miracle that either the opposition or the Maduro government pulls out, they are going down catastrophically in terms of economy, in terms of democracy," Kelly also wished that, "somehow Venezuelans resolve this themselves" and that, "larger U.S. government agencies are paying close attention" to monitor the cyber tools the Venezuelan government is allegedly using against its citizens.

• Uruguay – President of Uruguay José Mujica considered that the demonstrations are a result of the ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela.

• Vatican City – Secretary of State of the Vatican, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, met with Jorge Roig discussing the situation in Venezuela and the need for dialogue. Parolin once again affirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to help bring peace to the people of Venezuela.

Catholic Church

Holy See– Pope Francis asked for an end to violence and said, "I sincerely hope the violence and hostility ends as soon as possible, and that the Venezuelan people, beginning with the responsible politicians and institutions, act to foster national reconciliation through mutual forgiveness and sincere dialogue."

• Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino said that he has seen some vandalism by opposition protesters, but with the government, "There is a serious violation of human rights that must be addressed and must be punished" and that, "deaths and injuries are from attacks against peaceful demonstrations".
• The Venezuelan Bishops Conference condemned the government over an abuse of authority saying it "has gone beyond the limits causing unfortunate and irreversible consequences" and asked the government to stop "colectivos" from "committing criminal actions". The president of the Bishop's Conference, Bishop de, asked the government to, "ensure protection for the demonstrators, to provide explanations for the arrests and list charges against those in custody, and to listen to the people".
• Monsignor Victor Hugo Basabe said that some churches were attacked during masses and that, "We have churches in areas where conflict has been high and have also been attacked by violent groups,"
• Monsignor Ovidio Pérez Morales called the government's "Homeland" plan "unconstitutional" and said that it is trying to implement "Castro-socialism".

Others

• Amnesty International – Amnesty International has asked the government to investigate the deaths. Guadalupe Marengo said: “It is extremely concerning that violence has become a regular feature during protests in Venezuela. If the authorities are truly committed to preventing more deaths, they must ensure those responsible for the violence, demonstrators, security forces and armed civilians alike face justice. The Venezuelan authorities must show they are truly committed to respect people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly by ensuring they can participate in protests without fear of being abused, detained or even killed. It is essential that journalists are allowed to report events freely and human right defenders are able to monitor demonstrations.”. They have claimed that the government has started a "witch hunt against opposition leaders" after the arrest of Daniel Ceballos.

• American Popular Revolutionary Alliance – denounced the government's actions in International Criminal Court with the group's general secretary, Omar Quesada, saying, "The APRA announces that it has evaluated a complaint against the president of Venezuela before the International Criminal Court. The way you attack students with impunity that claim against inflation, calling for greater freedom and freedom of expression, makes APRA also raise their voices in protest."

• Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter – a 20 February statement strongly condemned the detention of students; expressed particular concern about the arrest of Lopez and the raid of the office of his political party without a warrant; and expressed similar concern about the obstacles to media reporting. Point-by-point, they "condemned" the "repression of peaceful demonstrations and the arbitrary detention of Venezuelan students" and the "arbitrary arrest of political leaders"; called for the release of detainees and independent inquiries into the violence; asked the Venezuelan government to adhere to the Inter-American Democratic Charter; and reminded all Venezuelans that protests should be peaceful.

• Club de Madrid – A group of 96 former presidents gathered denouncing the "rapid deterioration" of human rights in Venezuela and signed a statement asking the government, "to immediately release political prisoners and Leopoldo López and the cessation of the persecution of political leaders" and asked the international community "to join in a concerted effort to strengthen democracy and the preservation of peace in Venezuela".

• Council on Hemispheric Affairs – commends the Venezuelan government for "show[ing] restraint and resolve in the face of violent anti-Chavista mayhem."

• European United Left–Nordic Green Left – condemns "the attempted coup in Venezuela, violence by opposition groups in Venezuela, and regrets the loss of life and destruction of public property in the country. We likewise denounce the undemocratic and insurgent aims of this destabilisation campaign, unleashed onto the streets of Caracas and other Venezuelan cities by extremist groups. We hold the opposition forces and the Venezuelan right (supported by the U.S with links to the dominant forces in the EU) responsible for these actions and their dire consequences".

• Fe y Alegría – The Catholic education organization rejected the violence caused by armed groups and police using excessive force with protesters and barricades saying, "The country is filling us with pain, suffering, anguish, violence, fear, intimidation, repression and death."

• Hostosian National Independence Movement – expressed support for the government of Maduro at an "imminent threat of a coup".

• Human Rights Watch – José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said: “What Venezuela urgently needs is for these killings to be investigated and the killers brought to justice, no matter their political affiliation. What Venezuela does not need is authorities scapegoating political opponents or shutting down news outlets whose coverage they don’t like.”

• International Transport Workers' Federation – condemned the "so-called 'peaceful' demonstrations carried out by rightwing groups aiming to destabilise the country and bring down Venezuela's President Maduro." ITF president Paddy Crumlin added: "The ITF abhors these cowardly assaults on transport workers and passengers. We trust that the Venezuelan authorities will be able to protect them, and go on to identify and punish those responsible for these crimes and also those leading the destabilisation campaign that has thrown up these attacks."

• Portuguese Communist Party – condemned the acts of violence and vandalism perpetrated by groups of a "neo-fascist nature" in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which have caused the loss of life and the destruction of public property. And expresses solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution.

• Plenario Intersindical de Trabajadores – Convención Nacional de Trabajadores – expressed solidarity with the people, the workers and the government of Venezuela.

• Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights - President Kerry Kennedy said she is "deeply concerned about the deaths during protests, censorship and intimidation against members of the press, and arrests of students and opposition leaders" and condemned "government repression of peaceful demonstrators and the arrest of elected officials".

• Social Democratic Party of Kenya – expressed solidarity with the democratically elected government of Nicolas Maduro, condemned the "fascist and right-wing forces" of conducted "undemocratic and inhuman" acts. He said the Bolivarian revolutionary government respects the rule of law, democracy and human rights and therefore permitted demonstrations against his government.

• South African Communist Party – has expressed concern about the violent situation that threatens democracy in the South American country and have established its position in favor of Maduro. Given the destabilizing actions of the extreme right in Venezuela.

• Washington Office on Latin America – called for "renewed commitment to dialogue on behalf of the government and protesters alike", and encouraged "both President Maduro and opposition leaders to take every opportunity to unequivocally condemn acts of violence, regardless of the source."

• Hackers from multiple countries, including the internet vigilante group Anonymous, have infiltrated government websites due to the alleged repression and censorship in Venezuela. A member of Anonymous said, "I would say this is one of the biggest cooperative operations involving South American Anons and Anons from the rest of the world to date" when members of LulzSec Peru also hacked the PSUV Twitter account.

• International celebrities DJ Steve Aoki, Cher and Rihanna all asked for prayers and peace in Venezuela. At the 2014 Oscars, Jared Leto said in solidarity with the opposition during his acceptance speech for best supporting actor, "To all the dreamers out there around the world watching this tonight in places like Ukraine and Venezuela, I want to say we are here, and as you struggle to make your dreams happen and live the impossible, we are thinking of you tonight." Also during the 2014 Oscars, Kevin Spacey said, "Venezuela don't give up, everybody has the right to express themselves!" with Forest Whitaker also saying she was "deeply saddened by the violence in Venezuela" and that, "Everybody has the right to have their voice heard." Madonna took sides with the opposition saying, "Apparently Maduro is not familiar with the phrase "Human Rights"! Fascism is alive and thriving in Venezuela and Russia." Singers Enrique Iglesias, Willie Colón, and Rubén Blades also supported the opposition, with Blades criticizing President Maduro for not being able to "direct such a complex country". Maduro responded to Blades's criticism by inviting him to the country to perform a peace song along with Maduro which Blades turned down. Colón retweeted photos of the protests while saying to the president "Nicolás the blood of the students will choke you!" Twelve Venezuelan baseball players for the Detroit Tigers including Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Anibal Sanchez showed their support for the opposition holding signs saying "SOS Venezuela" or "Pray for Venezuela". The Venezuelan protests became the highlight of the 2014 Lo Nuestro Awards where artists including Marc Anthony, Marco Antonio Solís, Banda el Recodo, and Chino & Nacho expressed prayer and a call for the violence to end. Miss Universe 2013, Maria Gabriela Isler, attended the Carolina Herrera Fashion Show and said, "To all Venezuelans have in my heart all day, and although we are going through very difficult times, I want you to know that I do not believe in coincidences and God gave me the opportunity for Venezuela, this year – around the world and to represent and raise my voice for each of my brothers. We are a fighting people, but above all, we are a people of faith, so God willing things will be better ... We must have faith". Maria also criticized the Venezuelan government, especially after she had to deal with shortages, no electricity and her lack of safe drinking water. Singers Ricardo Montaner, Juanes, and Luis Fonsi have also expressed their solidarity to Venezuela holding signs saying "Pray for Venezuela".

• There were also protests in other countries, some in support of President Maduro and some against him. Across the United States hundreds of Venezuelan Americans gathered who sympathize with the protesters. In Canada, protestors in Calgary gathered on Peace Bridge to support the opposition and called on the Government of Canada to put pressure on the Venezuelan government. A Venezuelan opposition group, Un Mundo Sin Mordaza, has created the Gran Protesta Mundial, a worldwide protest movement denouncing alleged "violation of human rights" by the Venezuelan government. It seeks to carry out protests in over 150 cities in dozens of countries including Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, United Kingdom and the United States. In Doral, Florida, more than 20,000 protesters were at the SOS Venezuela rally that was part of the Gran Protesta Mundial. In San Francisco, California, demonstrators dressed in colors of the Venezuelan flag made a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge to raise awareness about government corruption and freedom of expression in Venezuela. In Washington, D.C., hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the White House, protesting against the Venezuelan government, violence and for the release of opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez. In Argentina protests were held both in support and against of Maduro. In Ukraine, protesters from the current 2014 Ukrainian Revolution in Kiev showed their support to the opposition saying, "Venezuela-Ukraine together for freedom and dignity." In the cities of Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland, protesters showed solidarity with the opposition and protested against censorship and police repression in front of the United Nations Office at Geneva. In Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, United States and other countries, the organization VenMundo made the "JusticiaYPazVzla" human chain to show support for Venezuelan political prisoners and students.

• On 6 March 2014, a group of United Nations independent experts asked the Government of Venezuela for prompt clarification of allegations of arbitrary detention and excessive use of force and violence against protesters, journalists and media workers during the recent wave of protests in the country. The human rights experts, who acknowledged the call for a national dialogue made by President Nicolás Maduro, emphasized the importance of fully guaranteeing the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression in this critical context. "The reconciliatory dialogue that is so deeply needed in Venezuela is not going to take place if political leaders, students, media groups and journalists are harassed and intimidated by the authorities," they stressed.

Gallery

• 
  People protesting for freedom.
• Protests at Altamira Square in Caracas.
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  Protesters on Golden Gate Bridge.
• Burnt vehicle left behind after protests.
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  Sign denouncing violence used in protests.
• UCV students demanding officials resignation.
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  UCV students with tear gas in background.
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  Message made of tear gas canisters.
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  Sign saying,"There are shortages of everything except bullets".
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  Sign saying "Venezuela without signal!"
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  A column of National Guards officers with riot shields.
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  Protests against government, in Guatire, Venezuela.
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  Barricade at Altamira Square.
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  A panoramic photo of protesters showing solidarity with the Venezuelan opposition in front of The White House in Washington, D.C.

See also

• Spring Revolutions
• United States–Venezuela relations