- Title: Venezuela's opposition remembers fallen youth killed in protest
- Date: 24th July 2017
- Summary: PROTESTERS STICKING UP MESSAGE HAILING LANDER AS A HERO AND LIBERATOR TAPE BEING PUT UP ON POSTER WITH MESSAGE REMEMBERING LANDER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER, LEIDA BRITO, SAYING: "The minions took out our hero Neomar (Lander), a boy who just graduated from high school, who came out to fight for freedom in Venezuela. Today we are remembering him and because of him we are braver. He has inspired the rest and we will be free. We will not have a dictatorship in Venezuela, we are 30 million Venezuelans, they (authorities) need to kill 30 million Venezuelans for this man (Maduro) to continue (in power)." PEOPLE GATHERED ON ROAD TO MARK LANDER PEOPLE LOOKING DOWN FROM OVERPASS AT GATHERING TO REMEMBER LANDER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LAWMAKER, JUAN MEJIAS, SAYING: "About 100 Venezuelans have been killed, the majority of them youth. For us they are not just statistics, they are stories of the fight against a dictatorship. We remember each of them by their name and surname, by their stories, by their anecdotes, through there families. It makes us understand that what is happening in Venezuela is a human tragedy, exemplified through these youth who have given their lives for a different future." PEOPLE GATHERED ON ROAD NEAR COMMEMORATION SITE FOR LANDER
- Embargoed: 8th August 2017 00:03
- Keywords: government unity vote political crisis Constituent Assembly vote opposition rally anti-Maduro conflict political turmoil Venezuela
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA0026R2WBIB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Venezuelans gathered on a street in Caracas on Monday (July 24) to remember the life of a teenager who died whilst protesting against President Nicolas Maduro, amidst widespread anger at the government over food shortages, a flailing economy and rampant crime.
Neomar Lander, a 17-year-old protester, died last month in ferocious clashes between security forces and protesters. The opposition reported that Lander was killed by a tear gas canister fired straight at him. But authorities say he died when a homemade mortar exploded in his hands. The teen has since become a symbol of youth resistance in Venezuela.
Some 100 people have died since demonstrations began against President Nicolas Maduro more than three months ago. Each side blames the other for the violence.
Critics denounce Maduro as a repressive dictator, and are demanding general elections, foreign humanitarian aid, freedom for hundreds of jailed activists, and autonomy for the opposition-controlled National Assembly. They accuse Maduro of seeking to cement his rule over the country with the election of a Constituent Assembly with powers to change the constitution. They fear the body will be stacked by the government. Maduro, 54, calls his foes violent right-wing "fascist" conspirators seeking a coup similar to the short-lived 2002 toppling of his predecessor Hugo Chavez. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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