Venezuela's defense chief warns guardsmen on excessive force

US denounces Venezuela for repression, calls for free elections
Pirelli becomes latest foreign brand to give up on Venezuela
Author

11 June, 2017

The military's National Guard unit has been at the forefront of policing the protests, using tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets against masked youths who hurl stones, Molotov cocktails and excrement against security lines. But the Supreme Court has ruled that a referendum is not necessary.

"I reject Mr. Nicolas Maduro Moros as an illegitimate president and refuse to recognise his regime and dictatorial government", Giomar Flores said in a seven-minute video, wearing a white naval uniform and black beret next to a Venezuelan flag. Almost 70 people have died in the political unrest, which has seen hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans take to the streets demanding new elections. Demonstrators are demanding a new presidential election.

Maduro has sought to take the heat out of the situation by announcing the creation of a super-body called a constituent assembly with powers to rewrite the constitution, but foes say that is a sham purely created to keep the socialists in power.

The lists emerged after allegations by Venezuelan opposition leaders that a purge is underway within the military to quash dissent over the handling of massive demonstrations against the socialist government.

Critics, including some traditional government supporters, have said there is no need to rewrite the constitution reformed by Chavez in 1999, and insist that a referendum should be held to determine if the country wants such an assembly.

Tyre manufacturer Pirelli says it is suspending its production in Venezuela indefinitely as it can not get the necessary raw materials.Pirelli is the latest foreign company to suspend its operations in Venezuela amid a severe economic crisis.

Opposition leaders reported Monday that demonstrators were being robbed by national guardsmen at protests. Hours later, the body of a national guardsman was found in a residential neighborhood in eastern Caracas.

Venezuelan prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz is a former Hugo Chavez loyalist who has become increasingly disillusioned with the direction the revolution has been taking over the past year.

Nonetheless, Wednesday's march followed the pattern seen regularly in near daily protests, with security forces launching canisters of tear gas at protesters to keep them from reaching their intended destination.

FILE: Riot security forces members catch fire during riots at a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, June 7, 2017.

Anti-government demonstrators clash with security forces in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

The nation's defense chief on Tuesday called on national guardsmen to refrain from excessive force.

Demonstrators race across the street as they cover themselves with shields during clashes with authorities in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 7, 2017.


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