Inquiry into Use of Students to Provoke Disturbances by the Opposition in Venezuela

The Public Ministry of Venezuela is carrying out an investigation into the use of students to provoke disturbances. This practice has been promoted by the radical section of the opposition, according to Prensa Latina.

The investigation began following a complaint by the JPSUV to the district attorney’s office, after violent events left two students dead in Merida province and some incidents in different parts of the country.

Harvey Gutierrez, district attorney of the metropolitan area of Caracas is leading the inquiries. The attorney will institute the procedures to determine the legal responsibilities, said the Public Ministry.

The Young Socialist issued a communiqué calling for an inquiry and an end to the manipulation of the media by those inciting violence.

We are publicly demanding the inquiry in order that the perpetrators and instigators of these events pay for them in strict accordance with the law, they said.

Carlos Sierra, leader of the JPSUV said that the traditional politicians, rectors of the private universities and anti-government media are responsible for these disorders.

They are using university students and school children as cannon fodder. The real purpose is to provoke death and create discontent among people. They know they have no votes, they cannot defeat Chavez at the ballot box .That’s why they turn to guarimbas (disturbances), Sierra told Prensa Latina.

Together with Merida, the provinces of Lara, Anzoategui, Zulia, Trujillo and the Capital District expressways were closed, installations were attacked, tires and cars were burned, confrontations occurred, and the security forces deployed to keep order were attacked. The opposition use as a slogan what they call attacks on freedom of expression, after a license was not issued for RCTV, a private channel, to continue its cable services following repeated violations of the telecommunication regulations.

They also charge the government with failure in its fight to bring safety to the streets and for being responsible for the current electricity crisis.