Awe and fear: Politicised gangs of Venezuela

[Zorro]

Juan "Juancho" Montoyo's walkie-talkie crackles as 30 armed men and a few women standby at the ready in one of Caracas' toughest neighbourhoods.

This collective - which could be described either as a "politicised gang", or a "community protection squad", depending on one's point of view - maintains a degree of order in the January 23 barrio, allegedly working with Venezuela's socialist government and dealing ruthlessly with opponents.

As insecurity continues to plague Venezuela, collectives such as Juancho's Tupamaros are set to play an increasingly important role in defending the "Bolivarian Revolution" inspired by former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

"Violence is a tool," Juancho, a leading figure in the Marxist group, told Al Jazeera in an April interview following a Tupamaro meeting in Caracas. "It's going to be seen as something good or bad depending on your interests."

http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/awe-fear-politicised-gangs-venezuela-191116511.html

[Bacchus4.0]

1. death squads would be another name n/t

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