Reactions to the political unrest gripping Venezuela
Violent protests in Venezuela that began a week ago continue to plague cities throughout the country. The violence has killed five people so far, injured many more and led to the arrest of hundreds. Many of those detained said they had been tortured and raped by security forces in custody, while videos of the National Guard abusing protestors have made the rounds on social media.
The Venezuelan government has blamed the U.S. and Colombia, including former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, for inciting the protests, going so far as to expel three U.S. consular officers, deeming them personae non-gratae and giving them 48-hours to leave the country.
Opposition leader Leopoldó Lopez turned himself over to security forces Tuesday, but called for protestors to keep fighting. Social media has been ablaze as the government has limited access to Twitter and other media outlets, while opposition supporters have uploaded images from Eygpt and Chile that are being used as examples of repression in Venezuela.
To read more about what has transpired see the Venezuela Politics and Human Rights and a series of other links from Just the Facts' Venezuela news page.
Here is a round up of reactions to the current situation in Venezuela from regional organizations, NGOs, and others:
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Venezuelan Military
The Venezuelan military issued a statement focusing on the constitutional legitimacy of Maduro, saying it would “never accept a government that does not come to power constitutionally.” It held the government’s line of deploring “outside forces” it claims are fueling the violence.
As analyst James Bosworth pointed out, this suggests the military might support another member of the ruling PSUV party, such as Vice President Jorge Arreaza, should Maduro step down. Caracas Chronicles blog argued that this is unlikely as the protests in some ways are serving the government, in that they are fueled by the middle class and the Chavistas have maintained support from their base. As long as this is the case, analysts have argued, the government can maintain it is fighting for “the people,” while also diverting focus from the difficult economic situation it is facing. Many observers contend that the biggest threat to President Maduro is divisions within his own party, although at the moment the PSUV is putting up a united front.
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Colombia
President Santos deplored the violence and called for “calm,” encouraging dialogue between the different political factions in the country. He said he had a vested interest in the country’s stability as everything that happens in Venezuela, “good or bad, affects Colombia.”
Maduro fired back at Santos saying he should not comment on his country’s internal politics and asked “What would you rather I do? Leave these masked groups alone while they attack metro workers?” He went on to describe the protestors as “some crazy people with no moral or ethical boundaries” and that he would defend the country with all of the force of the people. The Venezuelan embassy in Washington has described the demonstrators as “neo-fascist.”
Maduro also had a prickly back-and-forth about making statements on events within Venezuela with Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, who said the Venezuelan government “ought to know to respect human rights.”
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United States
The United States expressed its sympathy with people negatively affected by the protests, but was "particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protestors and issued an arrest warrant for Leopoldo Lopez. These actions have a chilling effect on citizens' rights to express their grievances peacefully.” The Venezuelan government has since expelled three American diplomats from the country, accusing them of organizing protests aimed at overthrowing the government.
While in Mexico, President Obama condemned the violence and said that instead of "making up false accusations," Venezuela's government should focus on the "legitimate grievances of the Venezuelan government," release jailed protesters, and engage in dialogue. "All parties have an obligation to work together," Obama said.
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United Nations
The U.N. was concerned about the escalating violence, but drew specific attention to the accusation that the Maduro government has been undermining human rights during protests.
Rupert Coleville, Office of the U.N High Commissioner for Human Rights said:
“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.”
“Perpetrators should be prosecuted and those found responsible for acts of violence, and in particular deaths, should be sanctioned with appropriate penalties…We are especially concerned at reports of attacks on demonstrators by armed groups acting with impunity.
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CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States – 33 member states, absent are the United States, Canada and European territories)
The regional organization called on the Venezuelan government to foster dialogue between all political forces.
“CELAC member states express their solidarity with the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and encourage its government to continue its efforts to propitiate dialogue between all of the political forces of the country.”
Dialogue must be implemented, “in favor of the peace and national unity that the Venezuelan people require to continue their march toward progress and wellbeing.”
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Bolivar Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) rejected violence and publicly issued support for the Maduro government.
“These reprehensible acts are part of a planned strategy to discredit the Bolivarian Revolution by means of the international media, in times that the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela has taken actions directed to achieving greater peace, stability, and national dialogue.”
Some heads of state from other ALBA nations, such as Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega and Bolivia's Evo Morales, have publicly backed Maduro's claim that the United States is fomenting internal dissent.
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CARICOM (Caribbean Community)
The Caribbean regional group said it was “concerned” by the violence, and called for “respect for the democratically elected” Maduro government, but noted that all parties have the right to express themselves within the constitutional and legal framework. It also called for dialogue between all parties.
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MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur or Southern Common Market)
Mercosur condemned the opposition’s use of violence as a political tool and also called for further dialogue.
Members "repudiate all kind of violence and intolerance which pretends to attack democracy and its institutions, whatever its origin."
The group reiterated "its strong commitment with the full exercise of democratic institutions, and in that framework rejects the criminal actions from violent groups that want to disseminate intolerance and hatred as an instrument of political struggle in the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela."
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OAS (Organization of American States)
OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza rejected the violence and called for détente, broad dialogue, and investigation into the deaths of protestors.
Secretary General Insulza, said it was “the responsibility of the government to avoid the use of force by police or related groups,” and called on all actors to “avoid new confrontations that might aggravate existing tensions.”
He also urged the Venezuelan government to conduct an investigation that is “truthful, objective, and transparent, that determines who is responsible for the deaths and injuries, according to the laws of the Venezuelan state, by the Justice Tribunals, with respect to human rights and the guarantees of due process.”
The Organization of American States met on Wednesday to debate the situation in Venezuela, with most leaders echoing the sentiments of Secretary General Insulza.
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Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)
The regional group expressed solidarity with the Maduro government, and condemned the "attempt to destabilize legitimately constituted democracy."
“The members of UNASUR repeat their defense of democratic order, rule of law and of its institutions, and highlight the conviction that any demand should be channeled through political and democratic channels.”
Amnesty International asked the Venezuelan government to investigate the deaths:
“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.”
Human Rights Watch also stated that Venezuela must investigate killings:
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.