The first month of the year reaches its half, and in Venezuela, contrary to what one might think, the events are unfolding at full speed, without pauses. 2018 promises to be a year plenty of news in the country.

 

Undoubtedly, the homicide of the former policemen Oscar Pérez was the most relevant news of the week. Pérez became known as a consequence of his open disobedience to the Venezuelan regime, through actions loaded with symbolism such as the taking of government helicopters with banners alluding to civil disobedience, the assault of military headquarters with army officials, as well as several videos broadcasted in social networks.

 

For various reasons, Pérez's actions were questioned by several sectors of the Venezuelan opposition. It was claimed, even without having the necessary foundation, that Pérez was an agent of the government, an avenger whose object was to distort the well-known mantra of an "electoral, peaceful and democratic" exit of the Venezuelan government.

 

The facts, however, belie this position. Pérez and his rebel group was assassinated by government forces, in an operation that is not transparent and full of various irregularities that are still unknown to the public thanks to censorship, secrecy and, unfortunately, a certain amount of disbelief. The truth is that what is popularly known as "The Junquito Massacre" -in reference to the place where the aforementioned events occurred- constitutes a new milestone in the violation of human rights by the government of Maduro.

 

Such news completely overshadowed other worrying facts for the country: the death of several Venezuelans on rafts (as in Cuba) who were shipwrecked on the run to Curaçao, the rumor of the possible purchase of Banesco (one of the largest private banks in Venezuela) by the government, or declaring the Petro as an illegal instrument by the Venezuelan parliament, bringing with it important financial consequences for the country.

 

A week of turmoil for a country with many problems and little hope in the short term.

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