Venezuela defends purchase of Chinese riot-control gear after more than 70 deaths in street protests
Opposition criticised foreign sales of non-lethal security equipment, funds that should be spent on food and medicine
Venezuela’s national guard commander has defended his forces in the face of criticism from rights activists and the opposition, and said riot-control equipment supplied by China has averted casualties during a wave of massive street protests.
At least 72 people have been killed since hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protests that began in April demanding elections, the release of opposition prisoners and calling on President Nicolas Maduro to accept foreign aid to alleviate food and medicine shortages.
The opposition has criticised foreign sales of non-lethal security equipment to Maduro’s government, saying the gear is used to repress protests and eats up funds that should be spent on food and medicine.
General Antonio Benavides, the national guard commander, said equipment such as armoured vehicles, water cannons and tear gas supplied by countries including China helped prevent casualties and rights violations.
“Never again will the armed forces be sent to the streets with weapons of war used on the Venezuelan people, whether or not they are from the opposition,” Benavides said, contrasting the situation with the 1989 “Caracazo” riots when forces used live ammunition and hundreds died.