Venezuela: Authorities arrest 28 people in Bolívar state December 25

Event

Venezuelan authorities arrested 28 people in Bolívar state on Monday, December 25, on charges of looting at least ten businesses in the state and for public disorder. These latest arrests come amid continued protests and associated traffic disruptions from roadblocks erected by protesters throughout Venezuela; demonstrators have been protesting a number of chronic issues, including a lack of food, the high prices of consumer goods, fuel rationing, and power outages. Additional protests, traffic disruptions, and heightened security measures are expected in Bolívar state and elsewhere in the country in the coming weeks.

Context

Earlier in 2017, Venezuela was shaken by four months of anti-government protests, coinciding with ongoing political, economic, social, and health crises. While the rate and intensity of protests has fallen significantly in recent months, the potential for further large-scale protests and associated violence remains. Scores of people were killed in the protests, the majority by security forces who have repeatedly been accused of excessive use of force.

Advice

Individuals in Venezuela are advised to closely monitor the sociopolitical situation in the coming days and strictly avoid all protests (and associated roadblocks) due to the likelihood of violence.