Venezuela Investigates 60 Cases of Police Abuse

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Bolivarian National Guards handcuff an anti-government protester during clashes between motorcyclists and protesters in the Los Ruices neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, on March 6, 2014.

Image: Fernando Llano/Associated Press

By Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai2014-03-24 11:21:17 -0400

Venezuela Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz admitted the country's police has, at times, crossed the line in responding to street protests that have swept the country for over six weeks.

Ortega announced its investigation of 60 cases of police abuse, which have led to the arrest of 15 officials, in a television interview on Sunday, according to multiple news reports.

See also: Protests Sweep Venezuela: Answers to 6 Key Questions

"Yes, there has been police excess, we won't deny it, and the attorney general's office is investigating it," Ortega told local broadcaster Televen.

However, Ortega defended the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), adding that these are isolated cases and that the abusers did not receive orders to use violence from the government, Spanish daily El Pais reports.

Bolivarian National Guard Commander Justo Noguera Pietri also conceded that there have been excesses. Pietri met a group of reporters in the GNB headquarters on Sunday, and told them he will investigate 56 cases of violence against journalists. He also announced that authorities won't arrest people filming the protests anymore, according to El Pais.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proclaimed the end of violent street protests at an event on Sunday.

"The violent street protests have been completely defeated," he said, according to the local newspaper El Universal .

A human rights group had previously denounced 18 cases of torture. After almost two months of protests, there have been 34 deaths (including three this weekend), 461 people injured, and almost 2,000 arrested.

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Topics: Politics, US & World, Venezuela, Venezuela protests, World