AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Mgr. Baltazar Porras: Attack on students and seminarians: "This violence disqualifies the government"

Saturday, 2 July 2016 violence   area crisis   armed groups  

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Mérida (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday afternoon, July 1, a group of violent (presumably one of the gangs that is trying to take control of the city) attacked a group of students who were going to school, among whom there were even the seminarians of the archdiocese of Mérida. Part of the group of students managed to escape but the 5 seminarians were attacked, beaten and then stripped and mocked. One was taken to hospital. Violence for the purpose of robbery and theft usually happens at night, but in recent days acts of vandalism and violence against innocent citizens happen more often during the day.
"This is not the way to resolve the differences that may exist in society, because it leads us to a climate of violence and despair, which is what disqualifies a government that deals with the integrity of the citizens", said His Exc. Baltazar Porras Cardozo, commenting the aggression against students.
"Unfortunately we find ourselves again with these acts of vandalism, with these groups that act against the integrity of people walking on the street; seminarians were attacked, stripped and beaten, and in all this there were no security forces that should ensure the protection and physical, moral and spiritual welfare of citizens", said the statement of the archdiocese sent to Fides.
Violent groups in Venezuela are on the rise: criminal gangs, organized crime, paramilitary who in the absence of an appropriate response of security forces try to seize power and full control of some areas, in Mérida, Valencia, Caracas and other cities. The capital has become the most violent city in the world (see Fides 14/06/2016 and 20/06/2016). (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 02/07/2016)


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