Venezuela’s Constitution has an article that is very explicit and clear:
Artículo 68. Los ciudadanos y ciudadanas tienen derecho a manifestar, pacíficamente y sin armas, sin otros requisitos que los que establezca la ley.
Se prohíbe el uso de armas de fuego y sustancias tóxicas en el control de manifestaciones pacíficas. La ley regulará la actuación de los cuerpos policiales y de seguridad en el control del orden público.
Translated
Article 68: The citizens have the right to protest peacefully and without weapons, without any other requirements than those established by law.
The use of firearms and toxic substances in the control of peaceful demonstrations is forbidden. The law will regulate the conduct of police and security bodies in the control of public order.
The bold in the translation is mine. What the article says is very clear: People can protest and there are laws that limitwhat the police bad security bodies can do.
But the armed forces are not a security body and a law can only be approved by the National.
Despite this, the Minister of Defense Padrino Lopez (Yes, we have Godfather Lopez and Godgiven Cabello, go figure!) issued today this “resolution” (page 6):
from the comfort of his office, entitled “Regulations for the behavior of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces acting in order to control public order, social peace and the coexistence of citizens in public meetings and protests”
These regulations clearly violate the Constitution, it is not a law, because the Minister of Defense does not approve laws, even if his name is Godfather and because according to the Venezuelan Constitution, the Armed Forces are not part of the security forces.
And it gets worse…
The Interamerican Commission on Human Rights has explicitly banned the use of the Armed Forces on matters of internal security, explicitly stating that the military should only participate when national security matters are involved.
And it gets even worse:
The first part says: “The acting unit will warn the people that participate in a public meeting or protest about the progressive and differentiated use of force..“
So, this “resolution” allows the use of force (!!) and explicitly violates the Constitution, allowing the Armed Forces to participate in the control of precisely what the Constitution bans them from doing…
And then it states that the armed forces should go to “extremes” not to use force against pregnant women, boys, girls, adolescents, older people, people with special needs or other “vulnerable” people… Note it does not say they can not use force against them, just go to extremes not do so…after the extremes, repress…
But, hey! If you have to, you have to, use the force, that is what Dictatorships do after all…
Should I go on…the fascism goes on too…
“The Armed Forces will have methods and means that will allow the equipment and permanent training of the military personnel for the progressive and differentiated use of force…and the use of force as situational punishment .
You have to love how clueless these guys are about what human rights are…or how fascist they are.,,
I could go on, but I would throw up. The Maduro Government just created the “legal” instrument to keep using the same force in repressing protests. Because once the Government begins getting less than US$ 50 per barrel, the “people” are going to be very pissed and force (no limits! It’s legal!) will be used..
There is nothing “disguised” about this Dictatorship…now that oil does not guarantee their survival, repression will. Or might?
The Devil's Excrement 
February 5, 2015 at 10:19 am
How far in arrears are the oil shipment payments? And how much further until this money hits the government accounts? You said you thought they were getting the money from the $80/bbl sales. That was last July. Does that imply there is a 6 month lag. I would have guessed it to be more like 30 days for payment and another month to transfer to the government, but I don’t know much about oil.
At $40/bbl PDVSA must be having trouble making payroll, much less government kickbacks.
February 5, 2015 at 10:26 am
There is a three month lag. Three months ago the Venezuelan oil basket was between 75.79 and 72.80 (It is weekly, I am giving the window of Nov. 5)
February 5, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Mick, don’t forget those PetroCaribe dollars, which is long-term and low rate financed, of which Venezuela won’t see payment for many years.
And with the current low price of oil everywhere, and VZ’s inability to continue great financing at just 40, 45 bucks a barrel, these nations are no longer “influenced” to buy mostly from VZ. And I doubt there’s anything in the PetroCaribe agreements obligating them to do so.
It’s a lose-lose for Chavismo.
February 4, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Please do, I felt threatend when Bloomberg for hire writer talked about you,
And took a away what I dreamed about you!, and thats it, feels very childish or weird of you expecting a different response! don´t meet heroes cause they will wine and make dogs go into pain!
February 4, 2015 at 8:10 pm
can you explain better in private? devilexcrement@gmail.com
Still dont quite get it
February 4, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Can’t you block the address?
I don’t mine idiots…I’m one myself…but I want to be able to UNDERSTAND my idiots.
February 4, 2015 at 7:45 pm
I did, unless he explains himself, I am erasing most of his comments
February 4, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Continuum! 🌌
February 4, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Sorry If I offend, Is there Sorcery! missed a comma..
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-03/venezuela-bond-bet-crushing-new-yorker-s-retirement-dream
February 4, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Dont understand your comment
February 3, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Miguel is more famous than ever!
Read the entire article, but if not, at least look at the text under the “PDVSA Hats” subhead:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-03/venezuela-bond-bet-crushing-new-yorker-s-retirement-dream
February 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Felt really bad for the guy. Did you see the video?
February 3, 2015 at 5:12 pm
I didn’t know that was a video clip. Let me look now.
February 3, 2015 at 5:14 pm
We’re going out again in a few weeks, on me. I’m trying to think of a really cool place,
February 3, 2015 at 5:15 pm
I can’t find a video link on that page,
February 3, 2015 at 5:42 pm
There was a video, this is the link:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-01-30/n-y-retiree-s-venezuela-bond-gamble-hit-by-oil-plunge
but now it says unavailable. the guy describes his “research” Bonds fo Dummies and the World Almanac for buying the bonds.. really feel sorry for him. i hope they put it back.
February 3, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Caveat emptor…
February 3, 2015 at 7:22 am
[…] that weren’t enough, the Venezuelan government recently pretty much legalized the use of lethal force against protesters, a move that directly violates its own […]
February 3, 2015 at 12:13 am
So…the fundamental difference between the USA and all of these half wit murderous regimes is the Second Amendment.
February 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm
I don’t think so. There are quite a few differences. Most of them aren’t attributable to the population, but to past traditions, history, and a really unique confluence of events which put a small group of great thinkers in the same place at the same time. These men crafted the USA Constitution. If the USA had had a well armed population and the other parts had been missing it would have never been what it is. Slavery would have been legal much longer. Maybe the USA would have evolved to be a BBQ and rodeo loving slaver empire.
What we see evolving in Cubazuela is the unique confluence of very bad guys with a flood of petrodollars, incapable presidents focused on Israeli concerns rather than lookng out for number, and very selfish and complacent elites all over the world.
I’m afraid that these bad guys we see in Cuba are pulling strings in venezuela, and they are financing communists elsewhere. These communists wear masks, but they are focused on the same repressive oligarch control of society. I think they are much more dangerous than Islamists…but the “Western” narrative is always going to focus on Israel.
This means we are likely to see an inmense amount of suffering, and eventually we may see a nuclear war. And the Second Amendment won’t save you from that.
February 2, 2015 at 5:48 pm
We all wait with baited breath for Miguel’s next blog:
Now that they’re not only blaming store owners for the shortages, but arresting them.
February 2, 2015 at 7:41 pm
Is that any different from what the Government has done in the past? Yesterday the brokers, today the stor owners, tomorrow the consumers.
February 3, 2015 at 10:09 am
Miguel Octavio, the revolutinary lexicon doesn’t include “consumer”. After they get store upper management they go for clinic administrators, the few remaining news persons…and bloggers and twitterers.
January 31, 2015 at 6:13 pm
I think thats it, DR paid…
January 31, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Miguel,
Reserves up by over a billion?
How come?
http://www.notitarde.com/Economia/Reservas-internacionales-subieron-1869-millones-en-un-dia/2015/01/31/487801/
January 31, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Because the DR is paying them $2B to retire their $4B oil debt?
January 31, 2015 at 5:50 pm
And my question mark is intentional, not a typo.
January 31, 2015 at 9:48 am
I just thought of something:
It’s obvious that the barrio has lost the fire in its belly for protest. Yes, it’s been argued that as things get worse, the people will take to the streets as never been seen before, but that’s surely no guarantee:
I mean, Cubans have had to be satisfied with chicken/meat only once a week for many years, and the only Cubans with any balls are little old ladies.
Could this latest edict be a predictor that they’re going to release Leopoldo, the only one (of two, plus maybe Machado) who’s capable of getting people fired up and onto the streets?
January 31, 2015 at 3:32 am
You know your in trouble when a left leaning bbc is writing an article against a left government http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31070279
January 30, 2015 at 2:37 pm
From Article 68
Se prohíbe el uso de armas de fuego y sustancias tóxicas en el control de manifestaciones pacíficas.La ley regulará la actuación de los cuerpos policiales y de seguridad en el control del orden público.
Translated as
“The use of firearms and toxic substances in the control of public demonstrations is forbidden. The law will regulate the conduct of police and security bodies in the control of public order.”
Would a better translation not be the following:
“The use of firearms and toxic substances in the control of peaceful demonstrations is forbidden. The law will regulate the conduct of police and security bodies in the control of public order.”
January 30, 2015 at 2:43 pm
absolutely correct
January 30, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Is the Los Soles Cartel shooting the competion?
January 30, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Turning the military against the government is the key to ending Chavismo.
The generals ( perhaps thousands of them have been promoted in recent years) are corrupt. And all military staff have salaries that tend to rise with inflation. The military is fearful of ending their positions.
However, military have families, extended families, and friends that are hurt by the poverty, shortages, lack of jobs, crime, lack of medical care, lack of freedoms, lack of an independent judiciary, etc. If only 20 percent of the people support Maduro then probably less than 20 percent of the military support Maduro but they cannot say it.
The soldiers are brave and will fight if ordered. However, will they be willing to kill their primos, tios, nietos, cunados, vicinos, etc that may be protesting? Moreover, will they be willing to risk their own lives for a government they know is wrong.
Actions-
1. Let the military know they are acting under illegal orders from corrupt officials who live comfortable lives at their expense. Domestic disturbances are not the military’s responsibility.
2. Let the military know they will be filmed and their actions will be covered around the world in real time.
3. This is controversial but let the military know that the people are not defenseless and can strike back. Guns are everywhere in Vzla including police forces. Make the military very afraid of entering the barrios or being caught alone at any hour.
4. The military is controlled by Cubans who have no mercy for ordinary Venezuelans. Push hard for Obama to demand that all Cubans leave Venezuela before normal relations are restored with the United States. I am working on this one.
5. Prayer. Let the welfare of all citizens be paramount, let the country become peaceful, let Venezuela have good government, let the eyes of Chavistas open so they know what has been created, and finally bury Chavez and all the propaganda to let the truth of his regime be known.
January 30, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Re:
5. Maduro got to the head of the line on that strategy, “Dios proveera.” Better look for solutions in the real world.
4. The ongoing discussions with Cuba are not looking good. Cuba has already started to torpedo the initiative by demanding reparations from the U.S. Your idea is a non-starter.
3. What exactly are you proposing? Threats? Attacks? Get real.
2. They already know that. It already happens.
1. No need to to tell them. They read the same newspapers and internet we do.
February 3, 2015 at 10:01 am
Since some of you are will int to trade Cuba for Venezuela i think i will post the following link to yoani’s latest post
https://generacionyen.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/what-will-we-do-with-the-hope/
January 30, 2015 at 5:24 pm
I strongly disagree with your points as well, the main one about the military:
This military has no conscience, and the only situations which would make them turn is if they lose their privileged status to B’s and goods, or if there’s a real fear of foreign intervention:
The prospect of actually dying tends to change your mind about things.
January 30, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I do believe that he has a point about the individual soldiers being reluctant to fire upon fellow citizens. That is a message that should be reinforced by the Opposition: “We are your brothers and sisters. There are orders, but there is also a duty to the citizens of your country. Your job is to defend Venezuelans, not kill them.”
January 30, 2015 at 6:15 pm
I seriously doubt whether the military looks upon the populace as fellow citizens, especially since the CUBANS are so involved.
It’s all about keeping what you got, and again, very analogous to Nazi Germany. “I got mine, the hell with YOU.”
January 30, 2015 at 11:42 am
With their supporters down to 20%, there must be much concern that the barrio folks are going to come down from the hills in protest. This reminds me of Plan Avilar?
January 30, 2015 at 11:26 am
I don’t know why people are shocked.It is quite in line with everything I have known about this government from day one.
People have to detach from their comfort zones to get rid of them….it will not be easy.
If people had not voted them in year after year, there could have been a fighting chance….every year it gets harder and harder.
Now what are people to do? Vote ” democratically” in another false election and lose?
January 30, 2015 at 10:02 am
the shootdown was not with missiles but with the gatling gun on the F-16. It fires 20mm rounds. They got right up close to the downed aircraft. Curious in whose airspace and waters did shootdown occured.
January 30, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Think about this:
Major VZ drug trafficking being investigated in the U.S. Top defecting official to testify in the states.
So Chavizmo shoots down a plane, they drop a few bags of dope in the wreckage, and voila–proof that VZ is innocent! We fight drugs!
This is not ridiculous at all, considering the timing, and limited brain capacity of Chavistas. They always come up with dumb ideas and excuses.
I want to know the history of these pilots, investigated by an IMPARTIAL group of journalists.
January 30, 2015 at 9:50 am
Susan Rice hopefully learned something with the El Pollo Aruba fiasco. Sealed indictment against the leadership and you have to start looking at Panama and Manuel Noriega for history lessons. The current window is two years before change of administration and Republicans move in the WH. The situation is escalating.
January 30, 2015 at 9:46 am
the shootdown yesterday is troublesome and worrisome. There was no radio warning or warning shots fired AFAIK. It was a hunt. The incident looks very staged. They had two F-16s in Barquisimeto on quick reaction alert (armed and fueled ready for takeoff). My guess this shootdown was in response to the bodyguard who defected. The pilots of that aircraft where sacrificed. Very underhanded and callous. They are already spilling blood over Diosdado’s assumed sealed indictment. An indictment that I do not expect will be unsealed for that is akin to act of war.
January 30, 2015 at 9:22 am
OT: have a laugh
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/deadline-miami/article8616728.html
January 30, 2015 at 10:11 am
Thanks for the chuckle! I have to wonder if the creators were this stupid..
January 30, 2015 at 4:25 pm
It had to be intentional!
We have a subversive in VZ Travel & Tourism!
January 30, 2015 at 8:54 am
I guess this was the next logical step. Just shoot the starving people and then nobody will complain of starvation.
January 30, 2015 at 2:48 am
We all know what comes next. “Legal” capital punishment for espionage and treason. Like in in most communist countries. The Cubans seem to have moved to the next stage in repression and no longer use firing squads: just car accidents and things like that.
January 30, 2015 at 2:39 am
I’m feeling sick reading this…
January 29, 2015 at 11:02 pm
OT:
Venezuela resorts to Pawn Shop economics, taking $2 billion in cash from the Dominican Republic in lieu of the $4 billion long-term debt owed via PetroCaribe.
I’ve never seen a country so hard up for cash in my life:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dominican-republic-retires-most-oil-013254028.html
January 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Smart move by the Dominican Republic government, wonder if the rest of the PetroCaribe government will follow. Bargin basement deals.
January 30, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Doesn’t really effect the DR. It’s Goldman Sachs who profits.
January 30, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Did they do it with Goldman? Funny, because the issuance was with Bofa and JPM, it maybe they switched banks after Ramirez left.
Most of the other countries probably would have a hard time issuing. Better to not pay.
January 30, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Let’s also remember that Biden just last week held a meeting with many of these countries for the discussion of buying their oil elsewhere, now that the gravy train is over.
But maybe that’s not all it was about, because the timing is remarkable.
January 30, 2015 at 7:02 pm
If only he and his boss made it possible for them to buy US crude oil! Or maybe is he talking about refined products?
January 30, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Interestingly enough Venezuela’s “international reserves” jumped by 2 billion over on Dollar Today. Guess where that came from? They just dumped it right in there.
January 29, 2015 at 9:45 pm
I read about this today, and had the same exact reaction:
They’re trying to make illegitimate and illegal most forms of protest which are inherently legal and legitimate, by all standards.
It is very Naziesque, and this is not at all a disproportionate categorization.
It really shocked me.
January 30, 2015 at 9:32 am
They are being guided by the Cabo Caballo dictatorship. Maduro is Kambo’s puppet.