DEVASTATED BOLÍVAR: RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN A WEALTHY STATE

This report is a compilation of 29 testimonies that account for the most serious problems faced by Bolívar state residents, such as fuel shortages, lack of transportation, the deterioration of the health system, power cuts and the mafias that have settled in the region with the consent of high government officials

This report is a compilation of 29 testimonies that account for the most serious problems faced by Bolívar state residents, such as fuel shortages, lack of transportation, the deterioration of the health system, power cuts and the mafias that have settled in the region with the consent of high government officials, which benefit from operating in a border area with large deposits of gold and minerals.

Devastated Bolívar: Wealth and pain in a single region is the title of the report published by Amnesty International Venezuela, which documents and exposes the rights violations suffered by people in the largest state of Venezuela in the context of a humanitarian crisis that the authorities have not been able to address.

This report is a compilation of 29 testimonies that account for the most serious problems faced by Bolívar state residents, such as fuel shortages, lack of transportation, the deterioration of the health system, power cuts and the mafias that have settled in the region with the consent of high government officials, which benefit from operating in a border area with large deposits of gold and minerals.

"The lack of public services in the region has had an impact on the way of life of its citizens. For example, the emergency services telephone number (911) is not working properly. The police service, the health service, the domestic gas service —they've all deteriorated,” Aliana Estrada, coordinator of the Observatory of Public Services in Guayana, said.

The state-led Orinoco Mining Arc project, devoted to gold mining and the extraction of mineral resources in southern Venezuela since 2016, has worsened the violence and clashes between irregular groups and government agencies that want to take control of the mining business. Indigenous communities are under the scourge of criminal gangs that promote terror, sexual exploitation and death, which particularly affect girls and women.

 “Mining has very marked patriarchal and macho features. Women assume very specific roles: cooks, prostitutes or partners. In all of them, gender violence is prevalent, because the law is dictated by the power groups,” Jackeline Fernández, director of Amnesty International Venezuela Women's Network, denounced.

No fuel, no gas

The fuel shortage has triggered a decline in public and private transport that prevents people from getting to work or school. The production, distribution and shipping of food and basic goods are also almost halted. Bolívar state residents have to wait in kilometers-long lines for several days to refuel their vehicles at the few gas stations that are working. Many have complained that they are only allowed to fill between 20 and 30 liters of gasoline so that it does not run out.

"It was horrible and uncomfortable. To be there without a bathroom, without being able to eat well, with the flies getting into the cars. Now, when we want to go out, we consider it carefully because we don't want to spend gas," said Ana Milena Castillo, 43, one of the many people in the state who have to wait in kilometers-long lines for fuel.

Domestic gas has also disappeared in many places. Residents of various sectors of the state have complained of being without it for months, which has led them to use firewood for cooking. Others say that the supply to their homes is irregular and that refilling a canister at the regulated price is almost impossible. As a result, protests for the full restoration of the service are escalating in a number of sectors.

Deteriorated health

Representatives of the health sector have denounced that in recent months there has been an epidemic of amoebiasis and hepatitis A in Guayana City, with the preschool and school-age population being the most affected. These diseases are related to the consumption of contaminated food or water.

The Coalition of Organizations for the Right to Health and Life (Codevida) denounced that some kidney patients have not only been asked to bring the supplies for dialysis, but also to bring fuel for the emergency power system of the health center.

Malaria is also a big problem in the state —Bolívar accounts for over 70% of the reported cases in the country. Experts credit the increase in the number of cases of the disease to gold mining and the Orinoco Mining Arc. This activity also contributes to spreading of the disease to Brazil and Colombia. Widespread corruption and medicine shortages have led to the illegal trade of antimalarial drugs and increased health emergencies, according to local NGOs.

"The malaria prevention, diagnosis and control program has been gradually deteriorating since 2012, as a result of the political and economic crisis," which "has led to an unbridled increase in the malaria epidemic," a research conducted by Dr. María Eugenia Grillet at the Central University of Venezuela indicates.

The national shortage of supplies, medicines and health personnel has significantly affected the region. This situation has led to the technical and total closure of important healthcare centers, such as the oncology center of Bolívar City and the Menca de Leoni pediatric center, the largest hospital in the east of the country.

No public services

Power outages, after the national blackout and the announcement of an electricity rationing plan that is not being complied with, have become frequent and keep the population in a state of uncertainty that makes them interrupt and adjust their schedules. Likewise, in several communities, people complain that not only is the drinking water supply to their homes irregular even though the state is adjacent to the Orinoco and Caroní rivers, but that when it is restored, the water is yellowish and gritty.

Waste collection services are not working properly. Entire communities must survive surrounded by piles of garbage and debris that are not collected. This waste can remain outdoors for days, leading to the proliferation of insects and rodents. The same thing happens in streets, avenues and in front of retail food establishments and grocery stores.

Devastated Bolívar is part of a series published by Amnesty International Venezuela to expose the plight of people in different regions of the country, emphasizing the problems and human rights violations that they face on a daily basis.