Venezuela Mostly Quiet After Protests,

 Mark A. Uhlig, New York Times, March 2, 1989

 

 

 

 

The main Point: How international loans bring one of the only stable democracies in South America into riots.

 

Summary:

The article was written after the two-day riots, as the Venezuelan government started taking measures

The author describes the outcomes of the two days riots that took place in Venezuela following an increase in gasoline prices and comes back on the reasons for the protests.

The riots that took place all over Venezuela were protests against higher gasoline prices and other austerity measures undertaken by the Venezuelan government so as to meet the conditions for new international loans.

Yet, officials had come with no firm figures on casualties but the estimations were that more than 120 died and 800 were wounded in two days.

As an answer to the riots the government took series of measures to lessen the effects of the changes (as compensatory wages and price regulation on basic goods). But it also warned for repression in case of further riots. Indeed, the author reports a high military presence, an emergency curfew and other emergency measures.