Venezuela Divided

As the Venezuelan government faces charges of human rights violations, Fault Lines travels to Caracas to find out what’s really going on in the streets.

A year after President Hugo Chávez’s death, Venezuela is in turmoil—and more polarized than ever. Since February, one wing of the country’s opposition has erected barricades in the streets and fought battles with security forces in an effort to force Chávezs successor, Nicolás Maduro, from power. On the other side of the political divide, government supporters have vowed they’ll do whatever it takes to protect Chávez’s so-called “Bolivarian revolution.” More than 40 people on both sides have been killed in the violence.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan and international human rights organizations are mounting a case against the Maduro government, alleging systemic abuses by security forces—and by pro-government groups known as colectivos.  

As the U.S. Congress debates whether to sanction Venezuelan government officials, Fault Lines travels to Caracas and asks: Is the country in the midst of an authoritarian crackdown, or a clash between people with radically different visions for the future of their country?