Venezuela

Key Issues

anti-Socialism protests in venezuela

In early February 2014, students in San Cristobal initiated demonstrations against high inflation, crime, slow growth, and basic food shortages in Venezuela, which they blamed upon the Maduro government’s socialist policies. Peaceful-turned violent clashes between the National Guard and the protesters had spread from San Cristobal to the neighboring town of Rubio, and to Caracas. Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro accused the anti-government protesters of right-wing fascism and of attempting a coup, funded and directed by the former president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe. Maduro alleged that Uribe had also funded an attempted coup in 2002 against then president Hugo Chavez. Chavez, on the other hand, was accused by Uribe of supporting Colombian rebel group, the Farc. The protesters were demonstrating against high inflation, crime, slow growth, and some basic food shortages such as milk and flour. The administration alleged the shortages were due to the corrupt business behaviors. Maduro's forces apprehended opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez of the Popular Will party in February 2014, followed by the mayor of San Cristobal, Daniel Ceballos, of the same party, in March. Ceballos was apprehended by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), the Venezuelan intelligence agency, during a meeting in Caracas of opposition mayors. On March 18, 2014, the National Assembly also voted to cancel the immunity of opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, in a step toward her prosecution. (https://www.france24.com/en/20140320-venezuela-intelligence-arrest-opposition-mayor-ceballos/)

Maduro, a close associate of Hugo Chavez, won the presidential election of April 2013 in a narrow victory against Henrique Capriles, who claimed the results were fraudulent. Caprile also pointed to the high inflation in 2013 of 56.2% as the disastrous result of Maduro's socialist policies. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26212813) Maduro, on the other hand, considers himself the "son" of Chavez, continuing his socialist policies of high public spending to reduce poverty. Meanwhile, critics pointed out the weakening of the private as well as state enterprises, as the elite siphoned off the nation's oil wealth. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-protests/meeting-between-venezuela-government-opposition-may-help-ease-protests-idUSBREA1M10U20140224)

The international response

In March 2014, the Organization of American States (OAS) voted to pass a declaration in support of a dialogue between Maduro and the political opposition. Voting against the declaration were the United States, Canada, and Panama. (https://www.france24.com/en/20140320-venezuela-intelligence-arrest-opposition-mayor-ceballos/)

Relevant History

References

“Venezuela intelligence arrests opposition over unrest,” France 24, March 20, 2014. (https://www.france24.com/en/20140320-venezuela-intelligence-arrest-opposition-mayor-ceballos/)

"Pro and anti-Maduro marches gather thousands in Venezuela," BBC News, February 16, 2014. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26212813)

Ellsworth, Brian. "Meeting between Venezuela government, opposition may help ease protests," Reuters, February 24, 2014. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-protests/meeting-between-venezuela-government-opposition-may-help-ease-protests-idUSBREA1M10U20140224)