Protests in Venezuela began in January 2019 and are ongoing in an attempt to oust Nicholas Maduro from the presidency. Initial protests drew tremendous international attention as protesters gathered behind Juan Guaidó, commonly referred to as the opposition by the Maduro administration. Protests in Venezuela grew increasingly violent as police arrested leaders of the opposition and journalists. There were also many attempts by members of the military to lead a coup; however, the police thwarted many of the attempts before they were able to get to close to Maduro. Tensions were further escalated by the collapse of the economy and the month-long on and off blackouts across many regions of the country. International organizations, like the Red Cross, responded to the deteriorating conditions in Venezuela by sending aid and relief supplies to the country to help alleviate the worsening conditions. In September, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to send a special envoy to Venezuela to investigate human rights abuses that may have occurred in the country during the ongoing protests. This decision by the UN set off a fresh wave of protests in the country as many protesters are angered that the Maduro administration currently under scrutiny for human rights violations is still in power.
In March, Guaido returned from his first international tour after declaring himself interim president, and rekindled protests in Caracas. Thousands of people attended a march calling for the ouster of Nicholas Maduro, and were met with tear gas and rubber bullets from security forces intent on dispersing the crowds. In a show of force, Maduro ordered tanks to encircle Venezuela’s National Assembly, and began military exercises in Caracas. There is yet to be a resolution to the power struggle in Venezuela, and the country remains restless.
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