Versión Español
EspañolThe Venezuelan Bolivarian National Police have been one of the dictatorship’s main forces of repression during the country’s new stage of protests. But this Wednesday, May 10, Chief of Police Carlos Alfredo Perez Ampueda announced his support for the country’s demonstrators and condemned state paramilitary forces.
Ampueda defended opposition protesters and acknowledged the existence of state-sponsored paramilitary forces.
Funcionario de la PNB aseguró que civiles armados dispararon contra manifestantes en La Candelaria este #10May https://t.co/5C7v1Bzx2F pic.twitter.com/XpbVjokZ6o
— VIVOplay (@vivoplaynet) May 10, 2017
Tweet: Police official confirmed armed civilians fired against protestors in La Calendaria on May 10.
“We use peaceful means because you (the protesters) have been peaceful. We are here guaranteeing your lives,” General Perez Ampueda said.
The statements of the Chief of Police refer to an opposition demonstration in downtown Caracas where some members of congress were participating. A group of state-sponsored paramilitary officers arrived to intimidate protestors. According to their statements, these groups, also called collectives, fired shots.
The situation ended when the Bolivarian National Police intervened in favor of the demonstrators. However, as Perez Ampueda pointed out, they could not do much unarmed.
After the incident, opposition leader and Congressman Freddy Guevara wrote, “Today the groups that shot us also attacked the PNB. I am sure: this causes more discomfort and more division.”
Journalist and public security expert Ronna Risquez said in response to the Chief of Police’s statements: “The Bolivarian National Chief of Police’s statements are as important as the prosecutor’s (Luisa Ortega Díaz). The chief of police is a general of the GNB brigade.”
Rísquez explained that Perez Ampueda “was appointed to that position a month ago” by the Minister of Interior and Justice Nestor Reverol.
“The chief of the PNB recognizes that these groups are armed and better equipped than the police … and denounces that the groups shoot civilians and the police… He calls them ‘shameless.'”
6. Director de la PNB reconoce que las manifestaciones de la oposición son pacíficas y que son los paramilitares quienes disparan
— Ronna Rísquez (@ronnarisquez) May 10, 2017
Tweet: National Bolivarian Police Director acknowleges that opposition protests are peaceful and that it is paramilitary groups who are shooting.
7. Finalmente el director de la PNB dijo que van a capturar a los paramilitares (colectivos) del chavismo que disparan contra civiles
— Ronna Rísquez (@ronnarisquez) May 10, 2017
Tweet: National Bolivarian Chief of Police finally said they would capture paramilitary (collectives) that sympathize with regime and shoot against civilians.
