Caracas
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sent soldiers to disarm Caracas police officers this week. Chavez has accused the police of siding with anti-government demonstrators and harassing his supporters in the streets. Chavez has ignored a Supreme Court order to relinquish control of police stations, which he seized in November. Government spokesmen said it was necessary to confiscate police weapons, including machine guns and riot gear, to keep the public safe. Police Chief Henry Vivas said Caracas’ 9,000 officers, armed only with service revolvers, are now “defenseless” against criminals carrying automatic weapons. “Instead of disarming criminals, they disarm the police. It’s outrageous.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Italian senate passes law allowing anti-abortion activists into clinicsUnder The Radar Giorgia Meloni scores a political 'victory' but will it make much difference in practice?
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
