In 1989, there were riots in Caracas that led to 277 deaths due to military and police excesses. (Nothing to do with Chavez!). Throughtout the years, Chavez used this case as an example of the excesses of previous Governments and the lack of justice in Venezuela. A human rights group was created around this tragedy. The group called COFAVIC persevered over the years and brought the case to international courts which oversee treaties that have been signed by Venezuela. At the same time, COFAVIC, has become the premier human rights organization in the country, due to its consistent, persistent and apolitical work.
COFAVIC won the case for the family of the victims and last year the Interamerican Human Rights Court found the Venezuelan Government guilty and ordered it to compensate the families, change the way police and military security plans are implemented and publish the complete decision in a nationwide newspaper and the official gazette.
Today, on the 14th. anniversary of the tragedy, COFAVIC called on the Chavez Government to comply with the decision, since the Chávez administration which in the words of COFAVIC “has attempted to “make use of political flags with the victims” or has responded to the Interamerican Human Rights Commission attempting to criminalize those affected”. So far, the Chavez administration has failed to comply with any of the aspects of the decision. So much for caring.

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