The fight against President Nicolas Maduro's government is getting increasingly dirty as protesters fling bottles and bags of human excrement at riot police officers in Caracas. The latest weapon in the fight for democracy in Venezuela is the "Poopootov cocktail" – a play on the Molotov cocktail.
Opposition supporters uses a giant sling shot to fire a Poopootov cocktail at riot police in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters
Soldiers and riot police fired tear gas and water cannons as thousands of opposition supporters blocked the main highway through Caracas on Wednesday (10 May) in what was dubbed the "Sh*t March". "They have gas; we have excrement," reads an image floating around social media to advertise the demonstration.
Messages have been going viral on Venezuelan WhatsApp groups giving step-by-step instructions and advice on putting together the Poopootov cocktails. Some insist on avoiding glass containers to ensure that the projectiles only humiliate troops rather than injure them.
A demonstrator writes 'For the political prisoners' on a plastic pot filled with faecesChristian Veron/ReutersMessages are seen on plastic containers filled with faeces before they are thrown at security forces in Caracas. The messages read, 'Freedom', 'Free Venezuela', 'For the future', 'For Venezuela', 'This is you', 'For the political prisoners', 'Are murderers', 'GNB you are this' and 'For our children'Christian Veron/ReutersDemonstrators carry a bottle filled with faeces, called a Poopootov cocktailCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersA plastic bucket containing bottles, rocks and a Poopootov cocktail is seen on the street during a rally against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersOpposition supporters use a giant sling shot to fire a bottle filled with faeces at riot police in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersOpposition supporters uses a giant sling shot to fire a Poopootov cocktail at riot police in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersRiot police and their shields are covered with what appears to be paint during a demonstration in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFP
Some opposition sympathisers are appalled at the use of faeces, both animal and human, calling it an unsanitary and inappropriate tactic even in the face of a government they despise. Many note that throwing faeces could increase cases of infectious diseases which are soaring due to the lack of medicine as well as basic cleaning materials such as soaps and disinfectant.
The government accused the opposition of breaking international treaties on biological and chemical weapons by throwing faeces.
While some demonstrators are protesting peacefully, others are getting increasingly tooled-up, throwing rocks, petrol bombs and fireworks at security forces.
At least 39 people have died in the unrest since early April, including protesters, government sympathisers, bystanders, and security forces. Hundreds have also been hurt and arrested. Maduro claims foes are seeking a coup with US encouragement.
The state prosecutor's office said 27-year-old Miguel Castillo was killed during Wednesday's protests in Caracas, without giving details. Motorbike taxi driver Anderson Dugarte, 32, died on Wednesday in the Andean city of Merida after being injured in a protest. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in comments broadcast by state television that Dugarte was killed by a sniper linked to the opposition's Democratic Unity coalition. He said Castillo was killed by a firearm.
An opposition activist injured in clashes with riot police is tended by fellow demonstrators during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Becerra/AFP
Opposition activists march along Francisco Fajardo highway, during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasFederico Parra/AFPProtesters wearing gas masks and carrying petrol bombs and golf clubs clash with police in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersAn protester shows off a steel ball bearing while clashing with riot police in CaracasChristian Veron/ReutersA demonstrator lights a firework as clashes with riot police erupt, during a march against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPAn injured opposition supporter is helped by others during a rally against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasChristian Veron/ReutersAn injured opposition supporter is helped by othersCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersA protester hurls a tear gas canister back at riot police in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPAn opposition activist knocked down by the water jet of a National Guard water cannon lies on the tarmac during clashes with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Becerra/AFPA tear gas canister lands at the feet of a group of protesters in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPA group of protesters in Caracas is hit by the full force of water cannonJuan Barreto/AFPA protester is surrounded by clouds of tear gas in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersVolunteer medics arrive as opposition supporters clash with riot security forces during a rally against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersDemonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Becerra/AFPOpposition activists clash with riot police during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Becerra/AFPPersonnel in riot gear deploy as opposition activists approach Francisco de Miranda air base in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPOpposition activists and riot police clash during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPNational Guard personnel in riot gear charge on demonstrators in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPNational Guard personnel in riot gear are surrounded by clouds of tear gasJuan Barreto/AFPAn oposition demonstrators is hit by the jet from a riot police water cannonJuan Barreto/AFPDemonstrators scatter as a National Guard riot control vehicle charges during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPOpposition activists attack a riot police water cannon truckJuan Barreto/AFPA demonstrator takes cover behind a makeshift shield as clashes with riot police erupt, during a march against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPRiot security forces clash with demonstrators during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in San Cristobal, VenezuelaCarlos Eduardo Ramirez/ReutersA demonstrator is detained by security forces in Tariba, VenezuelaCarlos Eduardo Ramirez/ReutersA petrol bomb explodes in front of riot police in Tariba, VenezuelaCarlos Eduardo Ramirez/Reuters
The opposition, which enjoys majority support after years in the shadow of the ruling Socialist Party, says authorities are denying a solution to Venezuela's crisis by thwarting a referendum, delaying local elections and refusing to bring forward the 2018 presidential vote.
With inflation in the high triple-digits, shortages of the most basic medicines, and millions suffering food scarcity, the country is undergoing a major crisis.
