![]() Nevertheless, the proliferation of criminality makes it highly inefficient to number the individual members in all groups in Venezuela.įinancial and material funding continues to lean towards illicit sources of revenue. ![]() On average, Colectivos are structured by hundreds of members unofficially led by specific individuals. The Chavista paramilitary tools likely enjoy a presence in the 23 states in Venezuela, with a confirmed presence in 16 out of 23 states in 20. Interests between armed forces, the government and colectivos are likely to continue to conflict. Meanwhile, clashes emerged over gas station control in Caracas with the armed forces. Colectivos enforced COVID quarantine measures and maintained the flow of illicit revenue on the Colombian border. The conflicts between Megabandas and government forces in Caracas highlight the weakness of criminal negotiations which ultimately depend on voluntary cooperation. The policy of criminals self-administering districts in Caracas is under threat due to criminal expansion. The government continues to depend at least to a limited degree on armed actors to carry out kinetic or aggressive action. Recently, Maduro used the mass exodus of exiled Venezuelans to use empty infrastructure and grant it to paramilitary bodies. Colectivos have the capability to force policy changes as seen in 2014 with the dismissal of the then-interior minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres. Intimidating and targeting protesters in 20 eclipsed the nature of the paramilitary body. Relevance of Colectivos Governmental benefits Recent policies of Maduro and tolerance for criminal activities indicate the intention to maintain Colectivos as potential assets to maintain governmental control. Clashes with FARC and Megabandas, which threatened governmental territorial control, incentivise the increase of governmental protection to paramilitary units. The government is likely aware of the potential of disruption of colectivos.The dependence on Colectivos conditioned a long-term relationship which maintains a very limited social stability in Caracas. Being able to maintain a presence in the criminal landscape indicates, at least, limited freedom of action without governmental interference. ![]() Colectivos are permanent criminal actors in Caracas, despite the decrease in the public use of paramilitary bodies. ![]() The corruption of different armed governmental bodies also adds separate interests to an already fragile security environment. The criminal environment in Venezuela and particularly in Caracas creates conflict of interests between paramilitary actors and the government. The role of colectivos as a paramilitary-political tool is increasingly becoming a double-edged sword.Nevertheless, the criminal nature of Colectivos remains in line with other non-state actors used by Maduro and Chavez as ideological, political and paramilitary bodies. The methodology of support changes, whether its supressing protests or aiding what are almost certainly fraudulent electoral processes. The Colectivos are one of the paramilitary units employed by the Chavista regime to minimise any realistic threat from the opposition. Concessions, Trafficking and Ghosts of Pax Mafiosa. ![]()
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