More protests, less repression: Venezuela took to the streets in 2026 and the government did not dare to respond as before
The Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict (OVCS) registered 1,926 protests between January and March 2026, an average of 21 per day. The figure represents an increase of 144% compared to the same period last year.
TL;DR
- 1,926 protests were registered between January and March 2026, a 144% increase from the previous year.
- Protests predominantly demanded civil and political rights (64%), with a significant number seeking the release of political prisoners.
- The promulgation of the Amnesty Law intensified street demands for its full application.
- Economic and labor demands gained traction, with public sector workers and pensioners protesting for fair wages and pensions.
- Miranda and the Capital District led in protest numbers, while Amazonas, Guárico, and Apure had the lowest.
- Repressed protests decreased by 45%, attributed to increased international scrutiny rather than structural change.
- Subtle forms of repression such as arbitrary detentions and intimidation persist.
- The report warns that without a mobilized civil society, the "new political moment" risks being merely a rearrangement of power structures.