Venenzuela, February 28: Venezuelans are commemorating the 22nd anniversary of their government’s massacre of thousands protesting the International Monetary Fund’s policies.
”This is a historic moment to commemorate those who died for our independence.
We’re here to remember those who died for noble and just causes,” Mayor of Santos Michelenas, Jose Gregoria Diaz told a Media correspondent.
In 1989, after commuters to Caracas refused to pay doubled fares as a result of rising fuel prices, a series of nationwide protests broke out in Venezuela. The capital of Caracas witnessed the most.
The government of Carlos Andres Perez killed thousands of protesters and organizers in a massacre that became known as the Caracazo, the most violently repressed revolt in Latin American history.
“February 27 was when the uprising in Venezuela gained momentum and the Bolivarian Revolution began. Three years later the military uprising led to the victory of the revolution,” said President of Caracas Subway System, Halman El Troudi.
Recognized organizers were detained from their houses by police. They were either executed or have been missing since.
The actual number of deaths is yet to be clarified. However, human rights organizations have placed the number at 3,000.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has requested an immediate probe into the murder cases allegedly carried out by military leaders during the February 27 Caracazo massacre.
——–Agencies