Maduro’s Paramilitary Groups
By TalCual
Latin American Herald Tribune
April 1, 2014

If Venezuela had a fairly serious democratic system, the opposition coalition would not have to include among its many subjects to be discussed with the Government the disarmament of paramilitary groups.

No government in the world, one that prides itself on being democratic and respectful of the laws and human rights agreements, would allow these paramilitary groups to act the way they have, as has been happening in Venezuela since February 12.

On the evening of February 12, after which the death toll had risen to three, the media coordinator of Provea (an NGO), Inti Rodríguez, was kidnapped by members of Sebin (Venezuela’s political police force) and members of paramilitary groups, who “after beating him up, threatening him to death and had his belongings taken from him, interrogated him about the nature of his work as a defender of human rights. After he was released, they told him if he pressed charges against them, they would go after his family.”

While he was held hostage, he “overheard conversations that ratify levels of coordination with government officials,” said a bulletin released by Provea, which subsequently filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office regarding the case. Let us hope that this office presided over by Luisa Ortega Díaz does not proceed the way it always does with this kind of complaints.

Last week, in the city of Maracaibo, Zulia state, neighbors of Palaima (a residential zone) complained about several houses being assaulted by members of these paramilitary groups, who did as they pleased as national guardsmen there turned their blind eye to the violent events. Francisco Arias Cárdenas, the governor of Zulia, and the man in charge of the military operation in Palaima certainly owe an explanation to the entire country for this outrage.

According to reports by Provea, these paramilitary groups had already acted before in very specific events, but what is happening today proves that this is a policy of the government of Nicolás Maduro for repressing peaceful demonstrations through these groups comprised mostly by very violent criminals. Apparently, the Government believes that way it can circumvent the human rights of citizens.

There is case law from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights with regard to the activities of paramilitary groups in Colombia, noting that the relationship of the paramilitaries with top people from the government makes it responsible for the actions of these groups. Besides, the State also has the obligation to ensure respect for the human rights of all Venezuelans.

Last weekend, Vice President Jorge Arreaza said the Venezuelan government is willing to disarm these armed groups, whoever they are. His words are recognition of the existence of these criminals, but what seems unbelievable is that, after 15 years of the chavismo rule, they have not yet been disarmed, dissolved and put on trial. It actually happens quite the opposite: the Government allows them to act with total impunity.

The members of the National Executive must never forget that human rights violations have no expiry date, according to Article 271 of the national Constitution. By having supported the violent actions from these paramilitary groups since February 12, the Venezuelan government becomes an accomplice and must be held responsible for the attacks. The peace of the country depends on the respect the Government has for the Constitution, and that is what the most elementary form of civility is claiming for.

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