2007 Venezuelan referendum protests
As a result of the November 3 2007 vote in the National Assembly mass demonstrations for and against the proposed constitutional changes
have begun leading up to the election on December 2.
On November 21, an estimated 300,000 students marched for the "Yes" vote in the referendum[1] in Caracas. The opposition march the week prior had reached an estimated 50,000 in the largest demonstrations for and against the referendum thus far.
In November 2007, demonstrations arose in Caracas and six other cities, along with severe rioting by opposition students over the proposed constitutional changes. The number of people demonstrating reached an estimated 40,000. On November 8, after an opposition march, around 250 students surrounded the School of Social Work, a centre of pro Chavez activities on the university, on the campus of the Central University of Venezuela. Throwing molotov cocktails and stones, destroying toilets and burning the door of the Student Centre. Around 150 bolivarian students were held captive inside[2]. Live footage was cought on tape [3]and aired on state TV unedited, after students trapped inside were able to call the station. Opposition TV stations reported masked chavista gunmen fired on the crowd, killing one and wounding 9 others. Some news stations had even reported that the supposed chavista gunmen had been those trapped in the school building. [1]This was later reported to be false, by among others The Gaurdian[4]. Government officials blamed the media for inciting disorder.
Opposition demonstrations have also occured in six other cities, Merida, Maracaibo, Puerto La Cruz, San Cristobal, Barquisimeto and Valencia, some followed by violent rioting by opposition marchers which had in some cases led to clashes with police. Government officials on wensday again blamed the media for inciting disorder.
See also
- Operation Pliers
- Democratic Socialism
- Bolivarian Revolution
- Criticism of Hugo Chavez
- United Socialist Party of Venezuela
- Elections in Venezuela
References
- ^ Gunfire erupts at Venezuela university by Sandra Sierra, Associated Press, 11/8/07.