Why are the Venezuelans protesting the dramatic rise in kidnappings?”
A dramatic rise in kidnappings has prompted several protesters to trek across Venezuela, calling on President Hugo Chavez’s government to crack down on abductions that are terrifying families. Reported kidnappings have increased nearly eight-fold in the decade since Chavez was elected — from 50 in 1998 to 385 last year. But the actual number is estimated to be much higher. Authorities say criminals are emboldened by the fact that only about 10 percent of the crimes get reported. Families say they’re afraid to call police, who may be corrupt and involved in the crime. Oscar Pineda drove from western Barinas state to Caracas, stopping in five state capitals to march across each city. Upon his arrival in Caracas, Pineda urged the Organization of American States on Wednesday to pressure Venezuela to do more. Pineda’s wife and five others accompanied him on the 326-mile (525-kilometer) journey. Pineda’s 36-year-old nephew moved to Florida after a kidnapping attempt in Barinas two years ago.
A dramatic rise in kidnappings has prompted several protesters to trek across Venezuela, calling on President Hugo Chavez’s government to crack down on abductions that are terrifying families. Reported kidnappings have increased nearly eight-fold in the decade since Chavez was elected — from 50 in 1998 to 385 last year. But the actual number is estimated to be much higher. Authorities say criminals are emboldened by the fact that only about 10 percent of the crimes get reported. Families say they’re afraid to call police, who may be corrupt and involved in the crime. Oscar Pineda drove from western Barinas state to Caracas, stopping in five state capitals to march across each city. Upon his arrival in Caracas, Pineda urged the Organization of American States on Wednesday to pressure Venezuela to do more. Pineda’s wife and five others accompanied him on the 326-mile (525-kilometer) journey. Pineda’s 36-year-old nephew moved to Florida after a kidnapping attempt in Barinas two years ago
CARACAS, Venezuela – A dramatic rise in kidnappings has prompted several protesters to trek across Venezuela, calling on President Hugo Chavez’s government to crack down on abductions that are terrifying families. Reported kidnappings have increased nearly eight-fold in the decade since Chavez was elected — from 50 in 1998 to 385 last year. But the actual number is estimated to be much higher. Authorities say criminals are emboldened by the fact that only about 10 percent of the crimes get reported. Families say they’re afraid to call police, who may be corrupt and involved in the crime.
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