Latin America
Related: About this forumPro-Chavez gangs tolerated, rule turf in Venezuela
Closed-circuit cameras stare down from lampposts, allowing a heavily armed gang to keep watch over those who dare to enter one of Caracas' most violent slums. At night, the gunmen cover their faces with ski masks and set up checkpoints, brandishing pistols and ordering residents to identify themselves as they enter the neighborhood.
Here in the 23 de Enero slum, several gangs that pledge allegiance to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are effectively the law, ruling over fiefdoms where police seldom venture. Chavez has occasionally criticized the groups, but the authorities have largely left them alone, stoking accusations by critics that the government is tolerating an armed wing that could prove dangerous in a critical election year in Venezuela.
One of the biggest gangs calls itself "La Piedrita," or "Little Rock." In its neighborhood turf, murals are painted with slogans such as "For the defense of the revolution, vote for Chavez. La Piedrita." One of the murals depicts Jesus and the Virgin Mary holding assault rifles.
Nearby, young men wearing olive green caps guard the barred gate of an apartment building that the gang uses as a command center. They don't welcome visitors, especially journalists.
More at: http://news.yahoo.com/pro-chavez-gangs-tolerated-rule-turf-venezuela-122301808.html
ChangoLoa
(2,010 posts)Nice fellows with privileges. They can kill, but can't be arrested.
Do you know about Valentin Santana? There's a mandate on him made by the court but no one knows who's protecting him (...), since he appears on photos and TV quite often. Last time we saw him, he was among a chavista legislator from the National Assembly (Robert Serra, in the pic) and a chief of the Urban Militia...
Here with the sunglasses and the army cap:
Remember this? When Chavez said : "That person (Santana) must be detained. Nobody here can threaten anybody with death"
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/09/content_10787519.htm
And their latest scandal: the kalashnikov kids wearing "Valentin Santana Lives" scarf
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)Chavez has been arming these neighborhood brigades (a la Cuba) for years now. They're ready, willing and able to ensure that he gets reelected.
naaman fletcher
(7,362 posts)COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)were designed to help keep a given government in power.
ChangoLoa
(2,010 posts)Absolutely! The real drama in Venezuela is definitely the slingshots...
Bacchus4.0
(6,837 posts)s