Venezuelan NGOs: Military Courts Imprison Citizens

Venezuelan NGOs report that the country's military courts have imprisoned dozens of government opponents of Nicolás Maduro. Alfredo Romero, a lawyer and member of the Judicial Justice Association, told AFP on Monday, May 8, that 75 opponents of the Venezuelan government have been summoned to military courts, with 50 of them remaining in detention. Mr. Romero described the handling of citizens' cases by military courts as 'illegal' and stated that dozens more citizens are expected to be summoned to military courts for protesting against the government. The Venezuelan government has not yet responded to these statements. However, Luis Almagro, the head of the Organization of American States, criticized the repression of opponents in Venezuela, stating that 'the semi-military and semi-civilian government of Venezuela represents one of the worst types of dictatorship.' Meanwhile, street protests in Venezuela against the government have entered their fifth week. Riot police on Monday also used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters in the streets of Caracas. Since the protests escalated on April 1, according to government officials, 36 people have been killed during the unrest. Protesters accuse Nicolás Maduro's government of 'dictatorship' and incompetence in managing the country's affairs. Venezuela, one of the largest holders of oil resources in the world, has seen the policies of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro lead to an economic crisis and shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and essential supplies for millions in the country. Maduro's decision to form a parallel assembly to the National Assembly has further angered opponents. It has been previously reported that the bankrupt economy of Venezuela has led women in the country to sell their hair.