| Submit your comments on this article |
| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Crime takes over Venezuelan beaches |
| 2015-12-08 |
| [ELUNIVERSAL] Not a single tent remains out of 50 tents that young couples and families used to set up in Valle Seco and Chocolate beaches in Higuerote, Miranda state, in the central-northern part of Venezuela. The site is not fit for staying the night, despite the heavenly evenings at dusk that can be seen from the boulevard. Those resorts have become a desert due to insecurity. In this regard, Coromoto de Lara, who runs a kiosk of fish sale in front of Chocolate beach can tell quite a few stories. On October 12, she could not open her business. "How could I work if it was plundered very early in the morning? Some subjects came in through the window and took over VEB 100,000 (approximately USD 16,000) in foodstuffs, beer, sodas and snacks. Nor could I work on November 3 because they took all the fish stored in a freezer," she related. Such experiences seem insignificant compared with an event that happened to a watchman of her store one year ago. He was stabbed 62 times because he refused to open the site to four subjects who tried to enter and steal. "The morning after, when I was opening the store, I found the corpse. From that moment on, I have called several times the local police for it to enhance patrolling, but it has been useless. I also requested the replacement of lighting in Rotiball Avenue because it is in the dark, and that has made criminals to act as they please at nighttime," the seller said. Downwards, Mariloren Liendo's restaurant is located. A couple of months ago, four subjects carrying long weapons submitted her and two employees, in addition to seven clients. "They hit the guests with the butts of their weapons and stole their purses and cell phones. They took VEB 40,000 (USD 6,400) out of the cash registers. I have witnessed multiple robberies against visitors. I have seen how they are robbed, at gunpoint, their cell phones and bags." These events have compelled her to work until 4:00 p.m., thus cutting her workday by more than four hours. In front of Liendo's store, a couple of tourists were fishing. They live in Caracas and every two weeks they visit Chocolate beach. "Formerly, we would come and stay until 6:00 p.m. Then, we ate in front of the sea. Now, we come at 11:00 a.m. and leave at 1:00 p.m. We are constantly on the watch for fear of being attacked by any subject." In the past three weekends, Cangrejera beach, visited by young people in 4x4 vehicles, has been targeted by criminals. Last time, about 10 men carrying long weapons arrived in cycle of violences and stripped more than 50 visitors of their belongings. The news was spread in Chirimena town. Local residents blocked in a rage the accesses to the town. They caught three out of the criminals who were fleeing in a taxi and battered them to death. "We will not let criminals shoo tourists off," admonished José Carvallo, a local fisherman. "Those who live on fishery and those who drive tourists to Caracolito and El Blanquito beaches are under siege. Criminals steal their cycle of violences, the money of trips and even the anchor of the vessels." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Last time, about 10 men carrying long weapons arrived in cycle of violences and stripped more than 50 visitors of their belongings "I'll report you to the Police!" "We ARE the Police" *Thud* |
| Posted by: Frank G 2015-12-08 18:34 |
| #1 VEB100,000 (approximately USD 16,000) Using the official rate of 6.3Bols/$ street rate is anywhere between 600-800 Bols/$. Talking about $22 or so. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2015-12-08 14:16 |