14 Army Officers Were Imprisoned for Dissent at Beginning of Protests

Venezuela‘s security forces arrested at least 14 army officers on suspicion of “rebellion” and “treason” in the first week of protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s government in early April, according to military documents seen by Reuters. The soldiers, who include colonels and captains, are being held in Ramo Verde prison in the hills outside Caracas, according to lists being circulated within the military. The documents said their cases were being “processed”, and it was not clear if they had been formally charged. The lists emerged after allegations by Venezuelan opposition leaders that a purge is underway within the military to quash dissent over the handling of massive demonstrations against the socialist government since early April. More…