TYT: Motorcycle Gang Attacking Protesters In Venezuela

[WhoIsNumberNone]

*Videos of armed motorcycle gangs attacking protesters have emerged from Venezuela with increasing frequency in recent weeks despite a "media blackout" by the regime in control. A brutal government crackdown on protests has already left at least 15 dead, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands accused not only of punishing those who rally against him, but also of turning a blind eye toward intimidation and violence by pro-government vigilantes. The first casualties in the ongoing unrest came at a Feb. 12 rally in the capital city of Caracas, when government supporters on motorcycles opened fire on crowds, inciting panic and leaving three dead, as reported by the Associated Press. Born out of Venezuela's urban guerrilla warfare in the 1960s, "Colectivos" re-emerged under late President Hugo Chavez as ideological henchmen. According to Reuters, the socialist paramilitary groups run community services, including bookstores, summer camps and pensioner coffee mornings. But they have recently been blamed for the spike in violence...* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

[freshwest]

1. That's a very disturbing video there. n/t