A message from Renald128

Hi, you guys. I have been lurking and reading everyone's posts but I haven't posted anything lately. I am from Venezuela and we are going through a pretty bad situation right now.

Starting two weeks ago anti-government crowds started protesting for the country's problems (insecurity, shortages of basic products, shortages of medicine, amongst others). February 12th is Youth's day here and to celebrate it, the opposition leaders called people to march in different places in different states all around Venezuela. That day the National Guard dispersed the groups. Every day since the 12th has seen how tensions have risen more and more all around the country. People have chosen to close off the streets where they live to show that they are against the current political, social and economical situation.

The government's official statement has been that this is a coup and wants to overthrow it, alleging a peace plan for the country. They also say that they are open to dialog, but it's the same lie over and over and over again. Yesterday, one of the opposition's leaders Leopoldo López, delivered himself to the authorities and is charged with many crimes. So today's been the most tense and chaotic day of all (many streets were closed, traffic was hectic). Everyone was waiting to hear about López's hearing, which didn't take place today at all.

The government threatened all the national channels not to broadcast anything that's been going on around the country. They even removed an international channel from the grid of the cable operator because it was actually broadcasting the protests (it was the only channel to broadcast the events while they were happening). They also intervene for a while the internet (the government is the owner of the company who provides internet to most of the country) so people couldn't upload or view pictures on Twitter. The social networks are the only way for us to get information about what's been going on in the country. People have taken pictures and videos with their phones and uploaded them on the internet.

Today, around 6 at night the national guards, pro-government groups (with guns), the military and the police started throwing tear gas bombs to disperse the people on the streets and they started shooting and aprehending people who couldn't find refuge in time. They also have trespassed private property and shot inside apartment windows, and tried to break into people's homes. As of now we don't know how many people have died and as many as 200 people are missing and don't know where they have taken them. If anyone is interested you can see my facebook timeline to see the photographs and videos of what I've explained.

My family and I are fine, we live in a closed off neighbourhood and nothing of consequence has happened in here. All I ask is that you guys keep Venezuelan people in your prayers. Tell people about what's been going on here and tell them to pray for us.

Thanks,

Ronald Chang.

I'm glad you and your family are safe!

I've been thinking about you and all Venezuelans a lot lately. Hoping things settle down soon.

Ron, I've been following your Facebook updates, but I'm glad to have more context here. I cannot imagine living through the chaos you're experiencing. I'm glad you and your family are safe. Keep us posted, and know that you and all of Venezuela have my prayers!

Like grk, I've been following your posts and wondering what was happening. It does seem interesting that there has been no news from Venezuela. In fact, there has been some ridiculous commercial on lately with Joe(?) Kennedy, talking about how wonderful Venezuela and your president are for helping people here to afford their heating oil. I think of you whenever that ad comes on and hope you are well.

I'm hoping you and your family continue to be safe.

Wow this is the first I've heard of these problems, guess the UK media doesn't consider Venezuela as worthy of attention as say, Ukraine or Afghanistan which is utterly pathetic.

Don't really know what to say Ron other than to wish you, your family, your friends and your compatriots the very best in these bad times and to hope that it all comes to some kind of conclusion quickly and more importantly peacefully.

Oh Ron! Please be careful! Praying for you all!

I saw the protests on the news this morning in the States. When we don't hear anything for a while we assume things are better, but it really means our news people aren't doing their job. Be safe.

Hi, you guys. Just checking in, yesterday everything was quiet and mild. There were armored cars patrolling different parts of the city and people were afraid to leave their homes. Last night we could hear some shots and detonations far away in the city. In another part of the city the pro-government groups (they were escorted by the national guard and the military) broke people's car's glasses, you can see it here.

Today there is a big march all around the country demanding that the government takes away the guns from these groups. Will it happen? I don't think so. I am at a point where I don't believe anything the government tells us. My family and I are still safe, so I can be grateful for that.

Here is an article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/americas/protests-swell-in-venezuela-as-...

I'm glad you are all still safe. I can't imagine what it must feel like to live under those conditions. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Ron, I read several articles in today's NYTimes about the escalating violence in Venezuela. Praying for your safety, that of your family and friends, and for your country. Please keep us posted as you're able.

Glad to hear the Times are covering it. Every time I see the TV news mention the Ukraine I think of you and hope you're doing well. (I have yet to see anything on the TV about Venezuela.)

Stay safe, Ron.

Ron- we're finally seeing more in the news. I hope you're able to keep us up to date, and that your family stays safe. Please know your family and country are in our prayers.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Ron. Stay safe.

Hi, guys. Checking in, there has been some mild clashes between the protesters and the government. Not in my city, in Caracas, the capital. In my city, everything has quieted down. There has been some marches and people still close the streets as a form of protests. The government still pretends everything is normal and that nothing is going on.

I want to thank all of you for keeping us in your prayers.

Hi Ronald, I haven't checked in on LT in quite a while and I just saw your posts. The world is so volatile these days and I am never sure I am seeing enough about world events on the news.

I will be thinking of you and I am glad you are still safe.

Hi, guys. I'm sorry I haven't updated this thread in a while. Everything has quieted down a bit, there are still days where I can't work (I teach English in their houses) because people protesting are closing some main streets in my town.

On the political scene there was a "dialogue" between the government and the opposition leaders and as my friends and I figured, no solutions were reached. The government refuses to acknowledge that the way they are handling the economy is what causes so many troubles. They are in complete denial of the current situation.

My university is still on standby, the student center refuses to go back to classes because the national guard, the police and people paid to inflict damage to the protesters are still out and about. The student center is demanding a minimum of security for the university students (they are the principal target because the students are leading the protests against the bad administration of the country).

My family is fine, and all my friends are fine. We are just keeping to ourselves and not going out of our houses during these protests.

Thanks for all your support and prayers and messages, Ronald.

Thanks for updating is Ron.

I'm grateful for the update, Ron. It's been difficult to follow what's been happening of late in the mainstream U.S. news (no surprise there). Prayers for your safety, that of your family and friends, and stability for all of you are continuing!

Thanks Ron! I am glad you are still safe, there has been very little news here