The Deadly Toll of Venezuela’s Grinding Protests
- The street battles are carried by militants ready for violence
- More than two months of protests have left nearly 70 dead
The shadows of demonstrators are cast on a Venezuelan flag during an anti-government protest in Caracas on April 4.
Photographer: Carlos Becerra/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
After more than 70 days of protests against President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s bitter political standoff has burned down to a fiery core.
Anti-government demonstrations once drew turnouts of over a million, but weeks of tear gas and water-cannon blasts have dissuaded casual protesters. Those who remain are more strident, more disruptive and more willing to confront security forces, who intensify their response in turn. The result is that the mounting pressure has created a sense of bedlam on Venezuela’s streets as opposition leaders vow protests will drag on.