Venezuela Indicts Soldier for Death in Holiday Protests
Small protests have erupted in a number of Venezuelan cities in recent days over delays in government distribution of pork.
Philadelphia, January 2, 2018 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced Sunday the detention and indictment of a National Guard sergeant in connection to the killing of a pregnant women during protests in Caracas.
“In the face of the terrible crime against citizen Alexandra Esterfan Colopoy Herrera, the Public Prosecution has ordered the arrest of National Guard First Sergeant David Jose Rebolledo Cortez, who will be presented before a court in the coming hours,” Saab wrote on his Twitter account.
Rebolledo will be charged with qualified homicide with futile motives, wrongful use of firearm, and simulation of a punishable act.
The incident occurred Sunday morning at a distribution point for government-subsidized pork in Caracas’ southwestern working class parish of Antimano.
According to local press reports, several residents attempted to forcibly enter the National Guard module on scene, leading authorities to open fire.
Five-month pregnant Colopoy (18) was shot in the head and died instantly, while Luis Alejandro Medina Perozo (20) suffered a gunshot wound in the gluteus and is receiving medical attention. It remains unclear whether the victims were participating in the protest.
Small protests have erupted in a number of Venezuelan cities in recent days over delays in government distribution of pork, a Venezuelan end of year favorite.
The Maduro administration has attributed the delays to “sabotage”, accusing international financial institutions of holding up Venezuelan state payments for the pork imports.
Since the imposition of US financial sanctions against Venezuela in August, Maduro has blamed foreign banks for allegedly “kidnapping” billions in Venezuelan state assets earmarked for food and medical imports.