Hugo Chavez claimed his socialist revolution in Venezuela was peaceful and democratic, but the reality was more complicated. While initially mostly peaceful, democratic practices deteriorated during his time in office. Under Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Chavez after his death, the situation has worsened with nationwide protests, shortages, and a serious government crackdown detaining nearly 3,000 citizens. A Human Rights Watch report details patterns of abuse by security forces against protesters, including firing rubber bullets at close range and live ammunition into crowds, which the report says are systematic practices that judges and prosecutors ignore. The government has not provided evidence for its claim that 41 deaths were due to protesters, while evidence suggests some were caused by pro-government

1. Not So Pretty Revolution

2. Hugo Chávez’s ‘pretty revolution’
might not be as pretty as he wanted
us to believe.

3. The late Venezuelan leader often
told members of the press that his
socialist revolution was different, in
that it was peaceful, democratic.

4. Never mind the threats of violence
that would come if his peaceful
revolution was blocked.

5. While the movement he led mostly
was admirably peaceful, democratic
practices began to deteriorate later
during his time in office, and powers
began to consolidate.

6. Nicolás Maduro has since taken
office in place of Chávez after his
death last year.

7. Maduro doesn’t have the same
appeal as the former leader, and
nationwide protests have become
the new normal.

8. Violent crime has risen amidst food
shortages and stalled incomes from
oil.

9. The government has begun a
serious crackdown, detaining nearly
3,000 citizens to date.

10. Human rights groups are reporting
excessive force being used regularly,
with police dealing out beatings and
detaining people illegally.

11. Human Rights Watch released a
detailed report this Monday,
outlining patterns of serious abuse
that go far beyond what one would
expect from riot police.

12. Not only are the police firing rubber
bullets at point blank range, which
could be deadly, but sometimes at
individuals already in custody.

13. They have also shot live
ammunition and tear gas canisters
into crowds indiscriminately.

14. These issues are so widespread, that
the HRW has noted the problems
part of a systematic practice by
security forces.

15. The report also claims prosecutors
and judges are a part of this system,
turning a blind eye to serious and
deadly human rights violations,
denying detainees access to lawyers.

16. The government has claimed that
the 41 deaths are due to the
oppositional forces, but haven’t
given any evidence to support the
claim.

17. The report claims that there is
strong evidence that point to these
deaths being at the hands of pro-
government gangs.

18. There is also evidence that the
government not only allowed these
gangs to attack protesters, but
perhaps have even collaborated
with them.

19. These findings are extremely
alarming, and our thoughts go out
to all of the people of Venezuela.

20. We especially hope that the fifteen
hundred people facing criminal
prosecution find real justice,

21. and that the world community can
effectively investigate the political
unrest and violence in the country.

22. It is now a crime to protest there
without permission by the
government, an edict issued by the
supreme court.

23. The pretty revolution is no
more.

24. Not So Pretty Revolution