On Feb. 12 thousands of students took part in National Youth Day by holding a peaceful march, but it soon broke out into wide spread protests across the nation of Venezuela. Violence has continued to plague the Latin American country. The event gained global attention when three of the protesters, many of whom were students, were killed in a clash with government forces. The death toll has risen to 13 in an event that is, according to Reuters, the worst protest the country has seen in a decade.
Though many of the protesters do so in peace, the government has taken a firm stance against opposition, causing violent clashes between both sides.
According to CNN, the unrest can be traced back to the social and economic problems the nation has faced for some time. Both the government and opposition blame each other for the issues. Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro has attempted to quell the insurrection by force. This is the most trying event that Maduro has had to deal with since he took office 11 months ago, after his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, died of cancer. Maduro has also called the demonstrators “Fascists” and compared them to an infection to the nation.
CNN also said Maduro has attempted to shift blame by pointing fingers at the United States. He claims the protests were sparked by U.S. officials, and on Feb. 21, Maduro ordered three diplomats to leave the country. The U.S. Department of State has denied these claims, calling them baseless and false.
“The whole situation is a time bomb,” Daniel Mata, a senior missions major from Venezuela said. “Tensions have been building, and it was only a matter of time.
Mata is originally from Venezuela and much of his family is still there.
Lisette Prato, a graduate student in the masters of reading program, grew up in Venezuela, and much of her family still lives there as well. According to Prato, who is in close communication with her relatives, living conditions within the country are very bad.
“People don’t have basic needs,” Prato said. “Things like toilet paper and milk are impossible to find.”
Prato is hopeful though, and believes that the unrest is necessary for stability to finally come to the country.
“It’s scary but it’s good and is causing a lot of prayer in my life,” Prato said. “I believe this is the only way the government will be changed.”
