A messy unrest in Venezuela threw the security system out of gear

VENEZUELA: Venezuela’s opposition protests on 10 May would be the messiest in a six-week wave of unrest as demonstrators prepare to throw feces at security forces, adding to the customary rocks, petrol bombs and tear gas. The new tactic has been dubbed the “Poopootov” in a play on the Molotov cocktails often seen at streets protests in Venezuela.

“They have gas; we have excrement,” reads an image floating around social media to advertise Wednesday’s “Shit March.”

“The use of excrement is not only an act of desperation, it’s madness,” said progovernment TV personality Mario Silva on Twitter.

With opposition leaders looking to bring frontline government forces onside, given they too suffer from the country’s crisis, the strategy may backfire.

Many are thought to sympathise with protesters’ complaints about the economic situation but do not speak out for fear of retaliation by authorities.

While the opposition coalition has remained quiet on the strategy, some lawmakers have given it tacit acceptance. “They use their weapons against us, so people are using what they have,” said lawmaker Rafael Guzman, who on Monday was seen in the thick of tear gas throwing a canister back at orces. With shortages of the most basic medicines, and millions suffering food scarcity, the country is undergoing a major crisis. AGENCIES