We started running as hard as we could, some people were tripping and falling on the ground and others were helping. Photographers and news anchors had already fled the scene. We heard the bikes getting closer and the teargas was leaving us breathless. I was alone, surrounded by other unknown teenagers and we didn’t have any place to hide, all the buildings were closed. Until we found one, but the lady was scared and didn’t want to help us. “Please open the door, they are going to kill us” was all that I could say, tears running down my face. We managed to get inside the building, many of us shaking, and sharing water or bicarbonate, sitting on the floor talking about what just happened in the last few minutes. What was our crime? Participating in a protest.
After things had calmed down, we gave our thanks to the lady and started walking away. But we were so wrong, thinking the danger was over. Police officers were waiting for us around the corner. They were over 20, most of them had their faces cover with masks and they were pointing at us with their weapons. “We have you on tape, f*ckers, we are coming for you.”
I’m a Venezuelan 19 years old girl. And I’m writing this with both anger and sadness. We, students, human beings, are being killed like flies. I’m writing this as a desperate call for help. 43 people died in the 2014 protests. Right now, in this month of April over 26 people have died.
Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned.
-Simón Bolívar.
Bassil Alejandro Da Costa Frías was the first one. He was just 23 years old, he was the first student killed during Venezuela’s protest in 2014. He was shot in the head. His killer, an officer, was sentenced to 29 years in prison, but that still won’t bring him back.
“I will keep supporting them (the students) even though I don’t have Bassil anymore” Said his mother.
hoy me pegaron una pedrada en la espalda, un cascazo por la nariz, trague bomba lacrimogena, cargue al chamo que fallecio, y tu que hiciste?
— Escualidox Reload (@EscualidoReload) February 12, 2014
“Today I was hit on the back with a stone, (i was hit) with a helmet on the nose, swallowed tear gas, carried the guy who is dead. What did you do?”
Robert Redman Orozco was a 31-year-old man. He was a runner, a mountain climber and liked bowling. He helped Bassil when the younger one had been shot, carrying him in his arms. Hours later, he was also killed. The killer has never been found.
It was February 12th. Ironically, the youth day in Venezuela, in remembrance of The Battle of La Victoria, that took place in 1814. It was truly a war zone during that 2014 day.
His father always visits his grave, and said that his son “Didn’t want to be a national hero or a martyr.”
You can google their names, and you’ll find the videos of their deaths. Brave young men, who only wanted a change for their country. My country.
Juan Pablo Pernalete, 20 years old was killed on April 25, 2017, by a tear gas can that exploded on his chest. The media and the government is covering up his death. His death lead to multiple marches by the Movimiento Estudiantil, including a mass on the place he was killed and an all-night vigil, that was attended by several right-wing political figures, his friends, families and others.
“It was very devastating. I couldn’t believed it” Said his girlfriend, Fabiana Marchesini.
Paola Andreína Ramirez, 23 years old. (officially) Killed by Iván Pernía, 31 years old. Apparently, the killer “tried to shot armed collectives“ and “unfortunately shot the young lady“. She was shot during a riot against Nicolás Maduro. She was chased, robbed, and killed by thugs.
I’m looking for true justice (….) she told me on the phone, ‘Mom, collectives are shooting’ What could I do if I was here in Capacho? I coulnd’t do anything. Said her mother, Darcy.
This is what Venezuela looks like; this is a typical day for us.
En #Venezuela no hay comida, leche, harina, insumos, medicamentos para niños con cáncer… ¡pero sobran las bombas lacrimógenas! #26Abr pic.twitter.com/Ws66vKAny9
— Yusnaby Pérez (@Yusnaby) April 26, 2017
“In #Venezuela there is no food, milk, flour, supplies, medicines for children with cancer … but there are tear gas cans! #26Abr”
Yibram Saab Fornino, the son of Venezuela’s human right ombudsman Tarek William Saab, called out his father,
Dad, right now you have the power to put an end to the injustice that has drowned this country. I ask as your son, and in the name of Venezuela, the country that you serve, that you think and do what you have to do. I understand you, I know it’s not easy, but it is the right thing to do.
I go to protests almost daily. I know what it’s like to be scared. I have swallowed tear gas, leaving me breathless and almost unable to see. I have run trying not to get caught by this repressors. Because there are hundreds of people in jail. Because I have heard the stories. I’m doing this because a regular salary is less than 20 dollars. Because this was just the beginning. Because people — mostly kids — eat from garbage cans. Because our situation is bigger than people think. Because there is no respect for mentally ill people. Because most people don’t have any hope left. Because a 17 years old, a future doctor, who played the viola in the national orchestra was killed, and his last minutes were recorded. Because a tankette ran over people, and you can hear screams “THEY KILL THEM, THEY KILL THEM“. Because people were burned alive. Because most of my friends ran away from our country, no matter how hard and dangerous that is. Because people had to jump into one of the most contaminated rivers in the world to flee the attacks, while Government figures mocked them. Because the Cruz Verde, a health volunteer group by college students was attacked and robbed by Police forces. Because they want to rewrite the constitution, turning the country into a more of a dictatorship.
I’m doing this because in a year I’ll be graduating from college and it’s sad to say this, but I’m not even sure I’ll make it out alive.
I’m doing this because I’m afraid for my little sister.
