Large-scale operation in Caracas: In a district of the Venezuelan capital controlled by criminal gangs, police and gang members fought bitterly. There were dead and injured.
Caracas – At least 26 people were killed in a massive police operation against gangs in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. The security forces had killed 22 alleged gang members, said Interior Minister Carmen Meléndez on Saturday.
In addition, three police officers and one soldier were killed in the operation. 33 suspects were also arrested during the operation.
The fighting in gang-controlled neighborhoods such as Cota 905 had already started on Thursday. The police confiscated over 20,000 rounds of ammunition, rocket launchers, assault rifles, vehicles and drugs.
Human rights organizations criticize the fact that innocent people are repeatedly killed in large-scale operations by the Venezuelan security forces and that opponents of the government are deliberately killed. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó accused the government of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro of staging a show. “They lie, exercise censorship and confuse to hide the truth: That they are allied with these armed gangs,” wrote the self-appointed interim president of the South American country on Twitter. dpa
