Crisis mounts in Venezuela as indigenous activists are shot dead by soldiers

Friday, February 22, 2019  

The humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela took a turn for the worse with the deaths of indigenous activists, who were killed when soldiers opened fire on them on Friday morning, according to news reports.

The activists were from Kumarakapay, an indigenous Pemon community near the border of Venezuela and Brazil. According to the reports, the community had set up a checkpoint in their village in hopes of ensuring that humanitarian aid -- an effort being coordinated by the United States -- could enter Venezuela safely.

WHEELS UP 🛫: Another plane transporting @USAID food & medical supplies is on its way to #Colombia, where we are pre-positioning aid for the people of #Venezuela #EstamosUnidosVE pic.twitter.com/0bQq8cannG

— Mark Green (@USAIDMarkGreen) February 22, 2019

The soldiers, who were sent to the region by disputed President Nicolás Maduro to stop the incoming shipments, instead opened fire on the people gathered at the checkpoint. The Washington Post identified the victims as Zorayda Rodriguez and Rolando Garcia. Other news outlets said upwards of 15 people were also injured.

“The United States condemns the killings, attacks, and the hundreds of arbitrary detentions that have taken place in Venezuela,” a State Department spokesperson told The Post. “We stand with the victims’ families in demanding justice and accountability.”

President Donald Trump has played a role in the political aspect of the crisis by refusing to recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. He instead endorsed opposition leader Juan Guaidó and other nations have since followed suit.

In a Spanish language post on Twitter on Friday, Guaidó said the incident in Kumarakapay won't "go unpunished." He accused officials aligned with Maduro of committing "repression" and "murder" in the Pemon community.

Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams is traveling to the region to help deliver the humanitarian supplies. They supplies were shipped to Colombia from Florida, according to the State Department.

The Trump administration said the aid was being delivered "in response to Interim President Guaido’s request" for assistance.

Two dead after Venezuelan soldiers open fire on opposition supporters (The Washington Post February 22, 2019)
Shots Fired as Venezuela Opposition Faces Off With Maduro Near Border (The Wall Street Journal February 22, 2019)
Venezuelan troops kill one in first bloodshed linked to aid entry (Reuters February 22, 2019)
Ejército deja al menos una fallecida y 13 heridos tras ataque a pemones (Efecto Coyuco February 22, 2019)
Indios pemones secuestraron a jefe de la GNB en la Gran Sabana (ACN February 22, 2019)
Venezuela’s Maduro closes Brazil border to block aid entry (The Associated Press February 21, 2019)