Venezuela: Protests planned in Caracas August 12-13

Event

The political opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) called for anti-government protests to resume for the weekend of August 12-13. At a press conference on Friday, August 11, the coalition announced that demonstrations will take place in the Chacao and El Hatillo districts of Caracas. Specifically, the protests are being called in opposition to the Supreme Court's decision to sentence the mayors of the two districts, Ramon Muchacho and David Smolansky, to 15 months of prison and to ban them from holding political office. A march was also announced for the weekend, although its exact route has not been specified.

The MUD coalition also announced its intention to participate in upcoming state legislative and gubernatorial elections as a message of resistance. MUD has been banned by the National Electoral Council from participating in seven of the 23 state races due to ongoing legal cases.

Context

The newly-established Constitutional Assembly has been created to replace the opposition-controlled National Assembly in favor of a pro-government body. Its members were chosen in a vote held on July 30, which was boycotted by MUD and marred by deadly violence. MUD, as well as numerous international observers, view the body's creation as the latest in a series of moves implemented by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to consolidate its power as the country moves further towards a dictatorship. The county's federal judicial system is already dominated by government allies and many prominent opposition leaders have been imprisoned in recent years.

These developments follow a long series of progressively worsening crises affecting the restive country in recent months and years, including major shortages of basic necessities, an alarming spike in rates of violent crime, massive inflation and economic recession, and a resurgence of disease.

Advice

Individuals in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities are advised to strictly avoid all protests and roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence and the risk of arbitrary arrest, and to closely monitor developments to the situation. Maintain a stockpile of enough food, water, and other supplies enabling you to shelter in place for several days in anticipation of a further deterioration in the security situation.