2017: 29 Dark-Skinned People Were Set on Fire by Opposition Rioters

In April 2017, daily anti-government riots began in wealthy municipalities. The rioting lasted for 120 consecutive days. Rioters built barricades that blocked streets, looted businesses, attacked government buildings and threw Molotov cocktails at police and National Guardsmen who prevented them from breaking out into other downtown areas.

The rioters burnt twenty-nine dark-skinned people, of whom nine died.[1]

22-year-old, Orlando Figuera was walking through the Altamira Plaza in Chacao municipality in Caracas on May 20, 2017 when he encountered a group of anti-government rioters. Figuera was stabbed in the stomach six times, doused with gasoline and set on fire. He was taken to a nearby hospital with burns over 80% of his body and died two weeks later. The incident was filmed:

·        “The video of the incident- which shows an anti-government protester throwing accelerant on the man, who then bursts into flames and runs down the street as other protesters, rather than help douse the fire, let him burn-is horrific. It obviously doesn’t fit the narrative of brave, virtuous, democratic activists facing down a tyrannical government.” [2]

In Lara state, two residents of a government-built apartment complex were attacked and burned alive by opposition militants on June 23:

·        “Henry Escalona and Wladimir Pena were returning from a party at 11:45 PM when they were accosted by a group of eight masked men, who demanded to know if they were ’Chavistas’. When the youths replied that they were government supporters, the assailants pulled out firearms and ordered them to kneel. As one of the young men tried to escape, the masked militants doused them both with gasoline and set the men ablaze.” [3]

Venezuelan opposition rioters burnt eight people alive in 100 days, including:[4]

·        “Carlos Ramirez was attacked and burned in May for ‘looking’ like a Chavista. Ramirez said he begged them not to hurt him, but despite his pleas, they threw a Molotov cocktail at him. ‘When they threw the bomb at me, I started jumping, running and shouting, ’don’t kill me’ and I threw myself to the ground to put out the flames.”

·        “Jose Bravo and Alexander Sanoja died in the city of Maracaibo after an attack by hooded opposition members. Bravo was in a truck that the opposition members tried to loot. The assailants threw two Molotov cocktails into the vehicle, which was quickly engulfed in flame, as was Sanoja’s motorcycle. He died instantly. Bravo, who was taken to a hospital, died the following day from third-degree burns over 95% of his body.”

 

1.     Alba Ciudad, President Maduro’s twelve victories in 2017, January 2, 2018.

2.     Grandin, Greg, Burning Man in Venezuela, Nation, May 26, 2017.

3.     Koerner, Lucas, Venezuela: Soldier Killed, Three more Burned Alive, Venezuelanalysis, June 27, 2017

4.    Hispan TV, Venezuelan opposition members burn 8 people alive in 100 days, July 5, 2017

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