2020 Barquisimeto shooting explained
The 2020 Barquisimeto shooting occurred on 29 February 2020, when pro-government colectivos shot at the Speaker of the National Assembly of Venezuela Juan Guaidó and his supporters in Barquisimeto, Lara state during a demonstration, leaving ten injured.[1] [2]
Background
A power struggle concerning who is the legitimate President of Venezuela began on 10 January 2019, when the opposition-majority National Assembly declared that incumbent Nicolás Maduro's 2018 re-election was invalid; that the office of the President of Venezuela was therefore vacant; and declared its president, Juan Guaidó, to be acting president of the nation. As of February 2020, Guaidó had been recognized as the interim president of Venezuela by 54 countries,[3] including the United States and most nations of Latin America and Europe.[4]
Shooting
On 29 February Juan Guaidó mobilized a march against the government of Nicolás Maduro in the Juan de Villegas parish, Barquisimeto, Lara state. Guaidó was in a van at the time of the shooting, which was fired upon by pro-government colectivos. Bolivarian National Intelligence Service agents were also reported of having participated in the attack. The shooting left a total of ten wounded, including a 16-year-old boy. Guaidó's vehicle received nine gunshots.
According to opposition deputy, in addition to the wounded, one person was kidnapped.[5]
Reactions
Domestic
- Venezuelan government: Diosdado Cabello, president of the Constituent Assembly, said that the shooting was a false flag attack.[6]
- Venezuelan opposition: Juan Guaidó, after the shooting, said that "the dictatorship tried to assassinate me today. They aimed at me. Our only limit is the physical limit".[7] Guaidó accused Diosdado Cabello of being the intellectual author of the shooting.[8]
International
The European Union, Spain, and the Organization of American States condemned the attack against the demonstration.
- : The EU issued a statement saying: "Acts of this nature against the opposition and the democratically elected National Assembly and its members are unacceptable and further hinder efforts towards a political solution to the crisis. The right of all political forces and civil society to demonstrate peacefully must be respected."
- : The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the shooting and rejected the harassment against Juan Guaidó.
See also
Notes and References
- News: Singer. Florantonia. 2020-03-01. El ataque a una concentración de Juan Guaidó deja al menos cinco heridos. es. El País. 2021-05-19. 1134-6582.
- Web site: 29 February 2020. Colectivos chavistas atacaron una concentración convocada por Juan Guaidó en Barquisimeto. 2021-05-19. infobae. es.
- News: DeYoung. Karen. 4 April 2019. Diseases surge in Venezuela under health system in 'utter collapse', report says. The Independent. 5 April 2019.
- News: Meredith, Sam. 12 February 2019. How a nationwide protest against Maduro could shape Venezuela's future. CNBC. 12 February 2019.
- https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2020/03/01/juan-guaido-tras-el-atentado-por-parte-de-colectivos-chavistas-la-dictadura-cobarme-intento-asesinarme/ Juan Guaidó, tras el atentado por parte de colectivos chavistas: “La dictadura cobarde intentó asesinarme”.
- https://www.laprensalara.com.ve/nota/13620/20/03/cabello--lo-ocurrido-en-barquisimeto-fue-un-falso-positivo Cabello: lo ocurrido en Barquisimeto fue un falso positivo.
- https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2020/03/01/juan-guaido-tras-el-atentado-por-parte-de-colectivos-chavistas-la-dictadura-cobarme-intento-asesinarme/ Juan Guaidó, tras el atentado por parte de colectivos chavistas: “La dictadura cobarde intentó asesinarme”.
- https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2020/02/29/colectivos-chavistas-atacaron-una-concentracion-convocada-por-juan-guaido-en-barquisimeto/ Colectivos chavistas atacaron una concentración convocada por Juan Guaidó en Barquisimeto.
