Photo report: Coloctive vs. CICPC (police) - The next day

On Oct. 7, a "shootout" ensued between members of a colectivo and the CICPC (police) in Caracas. This is remarkable because the colectivos never actually have a problem with the police. But that day was different. Some media did not even mention the incident others spoke of 3 or 5 dead, including the leader of the colectivos in Caracas (Odreman), who was a close friend of the politician (Serra) who died last week. Odreman predicted in a statement less than 30 minutes before his assassination what would happen that day. Residents of the apartment guarded by the colectivo speak of being robbed by the police. Reason for me to travel to Caracas yesterday to see what had really happened.

The headquarters of the colectivo is a basement of a 28-story apartment. The colectivo guards this flat; residents pay a 400 bolivar security fee per month for this purpose. The flat is a few blocks from the center of Caracas. When we arrive, the door is closed.

Across the street the police are ready waiting for what is to come (or not)

On the sidewalk of the bullet-hole-filled front door is still blood from the day before.

Let's see if we can get inside to take a look behind the door.

Residents of the apartment speak of the police having robbed them of money, equipment and food during their shootout. Adults and children were allegedly beaten. They take me to show the damage. That means 28 floors by stairs because the elevator doesn't work.

Statement of robbery :

They find a key for me to open one of the two parts of the basement. The part where some of the colectivos lived. It is indicated that here has already been partially cleaned yesterday. Still, I overtly find traces of yesterday's firefight.

The kind of Human Rights Watch arrives. Together with this delegation, a representative of the residents, police and a colleague from Venezuelan media, we take a look behind the shot-up front door.

Residents speak of at least 8 dead. I have not (yet) been able to get a response from the colectivo's. My gut says that this story is not over yet and that after the deceased are carried to the grave, we can expect a reaction of what happened on October 7. Why the police have changed their course of action and are targeting colectivo's like this for the first time in years remains a mystery at this point.