How Maduro CONTROLS Venezuelans - VisualPolitik EN

Venezuela: The End of Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution?

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of Venezuela and how it may soon undergo a historic change. Juan Guaidó, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, has been proclaimed interim President of the country. Over 50 world leaders along with almost all Latin American countries have already recognized him as such.

The Bolivarian regime in a tight spot

• Many Venezuelans are supporting Guaidó because they don't agree with what is happening in Venezuela.

• United State’s recent sanctions which have frozen oil revenues, have put the Bolivarian regime in a very tight spot.

• Opposition from the Venezuelan population is undeniable and the country is on the verge of collapsing as a whole because it’s about to run out of dollars and petrol.

How did we get here?

In this section, the speaker discusses how Nicolás Maduro's authority has been questioned globally and how two institutions have played an essential role in allowing him to remain in power.

The role of SEBIN and FAES

• Two organizations that haven’t hesitated to kidnap, imprison, rob, repress and “eliminate” political opponents and anyone whom the Chavista regime consider a threat are SEBIN (Bolivarian National Intelligence Service) and FAES (Special Operations Forces).

• These organizations would probably continue operating even if there is a change of government in Venezuela.

• Almost all dictatorships have used armed forces to consolidate their power throughout history.

Maduro's Regime and its Tactics

This section discusses the tactics used by Maduro's regime to silence protesters and control the population.

Creation of PLO and FAES

• In 2015, Nicolas Maduro created the PLO, or "Operation of the People's Liberation," with the supposed objective of combating growing violence in Venezuela.

• Between 2015 and 2016, it is estimated that there were around 18,000 cases of arbitrary arrests, searches without a warrant, and even executions.

• Building on this experience, the regime went on to create the FAES or "special action forces" in 2017. This was an intervention group with special training and very particular procedures.

Tactics Used by FAES

• The FAES use brutality and fear as their default techniques.

• They carry out random acts of extreme violence and have also become veritable criminal groups that have turned theft, organized crime, and extortion into sources of income.

• They act hand in hand with para-police groups called "collectives," which are created, armed, and financed by the Chavista regime.

SEBIN

• The Bolivarian National Intelligence Service created by Hugo Chavez in 2010 is called SEBIN.

• Agents of SEBIN are in charge of arresting and persecuting opponents even if those opponents are Deputies of the National Assembly or members of Venezuelan Parliament.

• To this day both groups operate from shadows with total impunity.

The Helicoide: SEBIN's Headquarters

In this section, we learn about the Helicoide building in Caracas, Venezuela which was intended to be a shopping center and luxury hotel but is now one of SEBIN's two main headquarters.

History of the Helicoide Building

• Construction began in 1956 with the intention of housing a shopping center and luxury hotel.

• Today, it serves as one of SEBIN's two main headquarters.

• The holding cells are maintained in dreadful conditions with no bathrooms and limited medical attention.

• Prisoners are almost always locked up for weeks or months at a time.

SEBIN's Actions

• SEBIN agents charge families of inmates for necessary items such as food, which goes directly into their own pockets.

• SEBIN has been Nicolas Maduro’s armed wing and has helped keep him in power by carrying out executions. According to information provided by the Organization of American States’s, we could be talking in excess of 8,000 executions mainly carried out by these groups since 2015.

Amnesty for Venezuelan Leaders?

This section poses a question to viewers about whether amnesty should be given to all leaders involved in crimes such as kidnapping, plundering and destroying Venezuela.

Question for Viewers

• Do you think amnesty should be given to all leaders involved in crimes such as kidnapping, plundering and destroying Venezuela?

• Leave your answer in the comments as well as in the survey.

Conclusion

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