Massive paramilitary arrests in Venezuela
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By Staff Writers, teleSUR
teleSUR
Tuesday, Jul 14, 2015
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| Gonzalez praised the work of security forces, and urged ordinary Venezuelans to help the government track down and apprehend paramilitaries. | Photo: VTV
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Venezuelan authorities say they have smashed four paramilitary groups in raids nationwide. Over 100 suspected paramilitaries were detained in Venezuela Monday, after state security forces launched a massive early morning raid in Caracas.
Footage broadcast by Venezuelan media showed security forces surrounding the suspected paramilitary site outside the city center, while helicopters flew overhead.
Fourteen were killed in the raid, after a number of suspects opened fire on security forces, according to Interior Minister Gustavo Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said the alleged paramilitaries were involved in extortion activities, but were also heavy armed. According to the minister, the group had links to paramilitaries in Colombia. At least 14 firearms were seized, along with 20 vehicles authorities say were used in extortion runs.
A total of 134 suspects were detained, with some believed to be foreigners.
At least three other similar operations were carried out nationwide, primarily targeting armed groups accused of kidnapping and extortion. In a statement, the interior ministry said the raids were part of a broader crackdown on paramilitary activity.
Gonzalez praised the work of security forces, and urged ordinary Venezuelans to help the government track down and apprehend members of paramilitary groups.
“We need your support to reach these evil organizations that want to destroy everything beautiful we have built,” he said.
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