Human Rights Optional In Venezuela
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The Humanitarian crisis which currently grips Venezuela seems to be deepening with a recent UN report due to be presented today at the Human Rights Council. It paints a bleak picture of trumped-up charges against political opponents of President Maduro, the widespread torturing of detainees, and a return of the notorious Death Squads which haunted the country in the early 2000s.
President Maduro leader of a country descending into anarchy Image StringerAL/Shutterstock
Despite having the potential to be one of the worlds richest countries thanks to its Oil reserves (estimated to be 11% larger than Saudi Arabia’s) the country is currently in economic and political turmoil with hyperinflation a collapsing currency and economy and world divide over who is actually president. Most of the world recognises Juan Guaidó – leader of Venezuela’s elected National Congress as the interim president, however, given that President Maduro has the backing of most the military, and support from Russia, China & Iran he continues to cling to power and is resorting to terrorising his own people to maintain control.
Inflation has all but wiped out the value of the Venezuelan Bolívar
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This became world news recently when navy captain Rafael Acosta a Mr Guaidó supporter was arrested over an alleged plot to assassinate President Maduro was apparently tortured to death. Although two people Lt Ascanio Tarascio and Sgt Estiben Zarate have been charged with his murder, many lesser publicised cases are going largely unreported and the number of people killed while supposedly resisting arrest are shocking running at around 285 per month up to May this year. The report also references the Death Squads who allegedly turn up in Black Vans to round up young men in poorer areas before extrajudicially shooting them.
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With economic mystery, a rising health crisis and no real consensus as to who is in control the risk of a civil war can’t be ruled out and this would bring the worlds superpowers into direct conflict given that The USA UK, EU Australia & Most of Latin America and Australia regard Juan Guaidó as president. With over 300,000 million barrels of oil at stake, you can be sure this will not go away quietly.
