2014: Opposition Rioters Beheaded a Motorcyclist

In February 2014, Popular Will party leader Leopoldo Lopez and National Assembly member Maria Machado encouraged street action to bring about the “exit” of Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela. Daily riots broke out in municipalities controlled by opposition mayors.

One concern of the rioters was the threat from motorcycle gangs who supported the government. On February 20, 2014, retired Brigadier General Angel Vivas tweeted: “In order to neutralize criminal hordes on motorbikes, one must place nylon string or galvanized wire across the street.” [1]

On February 21, 2014, 29-year-old Elvis Rafael Duran was beheaded in the Sucre municipality of Caracas after riding his motorcycle into an unseen barbed wire barricade [2].

On February 22,2014, President Maduro ordered the arrest of Vivas, stating: “I have ordered the arrest of retired General Angel Vivas who ordered the placement of this wire.” [3] Fearful of a shootout with the heavily armed decorated General, the Government allowed Vivas to stay in the house until April 7, 2017 when he was tricked into coming out to the street where he was arrested and taken to prison. Vivas was freed from jail on June 2, 2018 by a reprieve issued by Maduro to help national reconciliation.[4]


1.Retired General to be Arrested Following Decapitation of Motorist at Opposition Blockade, Venezuelanalysis, February 22, 2014.

2. Where is Venezuela’s Political Violence Coming From?, Venezuelanalysis, April 5, 2014.

3.ICNDiario, Angel Vivas, a Venezuelan General who entrenched Himself and Confronts the Chavista regime, November 3, 2015.

4, VOA, Dissident Former General Vivas Among Freed Venezuelan Prisoners. June 2, 2018

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