Armed militias deployed in Venezuela as regime attempts to impose authority

"Venezuela's rulers have deployed armed militias to patrol streets, operate checkpoints and check people's phones in a crackdown to consolidate authority after the US attack on Caracas. Paramilitary groups known as colectivos criss-crossed the capital with motorbikes and assault rifles on Tuesday in a show of force to stifle any dissent or perception of a power vacuum. The patrols stopped and searched cars and demanded access to people's phones to check their contacts, messages and social media"

"Anyone who was suspected of supporting Saturday's US raid was liable for arrest, said Mirelvis Escalona, 40, a resident in the western Caracas neighbourhood of Catia. There's fear. There are armed civilians here. You never know what might happen, they might attack people. A member of colectivos takes part in a march calling for the release of Maduro. Photograph: Gaby Oraa/Reuters"

"A semblance of normality returned to much of the city, with shops and bakeries reopening and people going to work but uncertainty over what will happen next created a febrile mood. The interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has sought to project a sense of calm and control since being sworn in on Monday but there was no disguising the government's shock and jitteriness."

Armed paramilitary colectivos have been deployed across Caracas to patrol streets, operate checkpoints and search vehicles. The groups stopped people, demanded access to phones to inspect contacts, messages and social media, and targeted anyone suspected of supporting the US raid. Residents reported fear of violence and arbitrary arrest. Shops and bakeries reopened and many people returned to work, but uncertainty and a febrile mood persisted. Interim president Delcy Rodriguez sought to project calm after being sworn in, while the government showed signs of shock following Maduro's abduction and court appearance on narco-trafficking charges. Authorities also faced risks of further US action, economic collapse, and internal fractures.

Read at www.theguardian.com