By Alexia Vlahos

Last week on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 3 people were shot and killed at an anti-government protest in Caracas, Venezuela.  The protests began early February in the state Táchira, where college students demanded an increase in school security and help with the country’s economy.  One major economic problem is the inflation rate at 56.2%, according to official figures.  This makes Venezuela a country with the highest inflation rate in the region.  Another problem is the shortage of basic food items and household necessities (i.e. milk, toilet paper). Over a dozen people have been killed and more than 500 people were arrested following the protests.

Venezuelans are accusing the government of censoring the media to cover up the great problems that are occurring.  Meanwhile the Venezuelan government is blaming the U.S. and its allies of trying to destabilize the country.  Still the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro called for peace but stressed that those who caused violence would be dealt with according to the law.  Presently, the protestors still ask for an increase in security but now want pro-government activist groups to be disarmed. They are also asking that the government release those that have been arrested.