Maduro security forces round up Venezuelans involved in protests

6/8/2024 6:23

        Venezuelan security forces are targeting those who they say committed violent crimes during recent protests over the disputed election, in an operation
        informally called "knock-knock" that advocacy groups say has left protesters fearful.
        
        Three advocacy groups told Reuters security forces are working intensely to capture protesters, including minors, who they said are not being provided with lawyers and who have in some cases been charged with terrorism.
        
        President Nicolas Maduro and other officials have touted "knock-knock" as a means of targeting those behind violence at the protests, who they have described as "fascist criminals."
        
        "Operation knock-knock is the name given by certain government spokespeople, informally, to the escalating repression," said Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of legal advocacy group Foro Penal.
        
        "It's called knock-knock because that's the bang on the door you get in the early hours of the morning," he said.
        
        Venezuela's electoral authority, who the opposition says favors the ruling socialists, has proclaimed Maduro the winner in the July 28 vote, saying he was reelected with around 51% of the vote, beating opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.