Venezuela security forces kill, punish anti-Maduro protesters: Amnesty
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS FEBRUARY 20, 2019 / 11:13 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO
Venezuela security forces kill, punish anti-Maduro protesters: Amnesty
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces have executed several people and arbitrarily detained hundreds of others in a campaign to punish people who protested against President Nicolas Maduro, human rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
In a report titled Hunger, punishment and fear, the formula for repression in Venezuela, Amnesty said dozens died during five days of protests from Jan 21 to Jan 25, almost all from gunshot wounds, and 900 people were arrested.
Amnesty called on the U.N. Human Rights Council to take action to address the total impunity that prevails in Venezuela by creating an independent investigative body to report on the human rights situation.
The protests were sparked by opposition leader Juan Guaidos call for people to demand a change in government after Maduro began a second term following a vote last year widely considered as fraudulent. Guaido on Jan. 23 invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, though Maduro says Guaido is leading a U.S.-directed coup against him.
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