Outdated Video of Colectivos Threatening People in Venezuela Resurfaces Following Maduro’s Capture

Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading. The video predates the capture of Maduro.

2024 Video of Colectivos Following Protests Against Election Results

The video was published by the Latin American news outlet NTN24 Venezuela in July 2024, along with captions stating it shows colectivos in the 23 de Enero, an administrative parish in western Caracas, threatening people. According to the outlet, the video was filmed after anti-election fraud protests that followed the July 28 presidential election results, which sparked widespread unrest and fatal shootings.

On the same day that NTN24 Venezuela shared the video, the prominent Venezuelan online news website La Patilla reported the mobilization of colectivos from the 23 de Enero to violently disperse opposition demonstrations.

The Venezuelan journalist Alexandra Belandia Ruizpineda posted a video captioning it as showing armed groups belonging to the government deployed to forcibly disperse opposition demonstrations in the Venezuelan capital.

Who Are the Colectivos?

The colectivos are grassroots organizations in Venezuela that serve as the self-appointed defenders of the country’s “Bolivarian Revolution.” While they are officially described as social organizations intended to support the community and implement government aid programmes, they are widely viewed by opponents and international bodies as armed paramilitary groups loyal to the government of Nicolás Maduro.

The roots of the colectivos date back to leftist urban rebel groups from the 1960s that were inspired by the Cuban Revolution. After Hugo Chávez was elected in 1999, these groups abandoned armed insurrection to support his “Socialism of the 21st Century.” Chávez encouraged and subsidized the formation of these collectives, viewing them as “guardians of the revolution” and providing many of them with weapons.

Not all colectivos are alike. Many colectivos focus on community work. President Maduro has praised them as “angels of socialism” who work for peace and against crime.

However, there are groups of them often seen operating on motorcycles, using tear gas and live ammunition to violently disperse opposition rallies and intimidate critics of the government.

The United Nations and various human rights organizations describe many colectivos as para-police or paramilitary forces that act with near-total impunity. In one notable week of unrest, the U.N. blamed pro-government forces, including these groups, for the majority of 40 deaths across the country.

Despite their violent reputation and various arrest warrants, many group leaders remain free and publicly active.

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