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Gas masks, face paint, shields: Battle gear for a Venezuela protest

When Venezuelans take to the streets to protest President Nicolas Maduro, they take precautions against tear gas — and sometimes hide their identities.
(Federico Parra / AFP/Getty Images)
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The demonstrators who have flooded Venezuela’s streets in recent weeks to protest the government of embattled President Nicolas Maduro have faced formidable pushback: tear gas, riot shields, armored vehicles.

At least 36 people have been killed and hundreds more injured since the protests began in early April.

The latest clashes came on Thursday, when opposition marchers lighted fires and hurled stones at security forces along Caracas’ main thoroughfare, only to be doused with tear gas.

One thing that has characterized the protests in the crisis-ridden country — where consumer goods can be hard to acquire — has been the make-do nature of the gear donned by demonstrators before they take to the streets.

We asked one frequent protester, 21-year-old university student Alberto Castillo, to share what he’s learned about gearing up to protest on the front lines.

Colors of a nation

Protests are awash in the colors of the Venezuelan flag, which symbolize another struggle, the fight for independence from Spain. At the nation’s founding, yellow stood for gold and blue for the ocean separating Venezuela from bloody Spain, represented by red.

Venezuelan opposition activists march to the Catholic Church's episcopal seat in a quiet show of condemnation of the government of President NIcolas Maduro, in Caracas, on April 22, 2017, Venezuelans gathered Saturday for "silent marches" against President Nicolas Maduro, a test of his government's tolerance for peaceful protests after three weeks of violent unrest that has left 20 people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Venezuelan opposition activists march to the Catholic Church’s episcopal seat in a quiet show of condemnation of the government of President NIcolas Maduro, in Caracas, on April 22, 2017, Venezuelans gathered Saturday for “silent marches” against President Nicolas Maduro, a test of his government’s tolerance for peaceful protests after three weeks of violent unrest that has left 20 people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)
A Venezuelan opposition activist demonstrates against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters rallied on Monday vowing to block Venezuela's main roads to raise pressure on Maduro after three weeks of deadly unrest that have left 21 people dead. Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up one of the first rallies in eastern Caracas early Monday while other groups were gathering elsewhere, the opposition said. / AFP PHOTO / Federico PARRAFEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

A Venezuelan opposition activist demonstrates against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters rallied on Monday vowing to block Venezuela’s main roads to raise pressure on Maduro after three weeks of deadly unrest that have left 21 people dead. Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up one of the first rallies in eastern Caracas early Monday while other groups were gathering elsewhere, the opposition said. / AFP PHOTO / Federico PARRAFEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

(FEDERICO PARRA / AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A Venezuelan opposition activist participates in a sit-in to block the Francisco Fajardo motorway in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters plan Monday to block Venezuela's main roads including the capital's biggest motorway, triggering fears of further violence after three weeks of unrest left 21 people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

TOPSHOT - A Venezuelan opposition activist participates in a sit-in to block the Francisco Fajardo motorway in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters plan Monday to block Venezuela’s main roads including the capital’s biggest motorway, triggering fears of further violence after three weeks of unrest left 21 people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Protesters with flags and signs chant during a rally against the Venezuelan government at a rally in front of the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, on April 19, 2017. The United States is "concerned" about the situation in Venezuela, where deadly clashes broke out April 19 in mass protests against President Nicolas Maduro, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. / AFP PHOTO / RHONA WISERHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

TOPSHOT - Protesters with flags and signs chant during a rally against the Venezuelan government at a rally in front of the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, on April 19, 2017. The United States is “concerned” about the situation in Venezuela, where deadly clashes broke out April 19 in mass protests against President Nicolas Maduro, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. / AFP PHOTO / RHONA WISERHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

(RHONA WISE / AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty

Fighting back, with one glove

At protests, they seem to be everywhere, young men with just right-handed gloves, usually heavy workmen’s gloves. They wear them to hurl tear gas canisters back at police. “The first time I grabbed one, I didn’t know any better and it burned me,” Castillo said. “Since then I have used a glove, a thick one that resists the heat.”

A shield, any shield

Protesters routinely show up at protests carrying improvised shields — of wood, metal, particle board, whatever. Castillo recalled a friend who was injured in one protest. “The police shot a tear gas bomb directly at one friend and it tore off one of the fingernails of his right hand. Later, one bounced off the street and hit him in the groin,” he said. Since early April, sometimes violent clashes with police and troops have left 36 dead and more than 400 injured; more than 1,200 have been arrested.

Opposition demonstrators clash with riot police during a march in Caracas on April 26, 2017. Protesters in Venezuela plan a high-risk march against President Maduro Wednesday, sparking fears of fresh violence after demonstrations that have left 26 dead in the crisis-wracked country. The placard reads "Jailed Students and Loose Delinquents" / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETOJUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(JUAN BARRETO / AFP/Getty Images)

A student movement

The protesters range in age — Castillo’s mother joins him on marches — but many demonstrations are driven by students. Castillo, a thin, boyish architecture student at Central University of Venezuela, recently prepared to attend a memorial for a student cut down in the protests. “There is a special event for a kid who they killed yesterday with a tear gas canister. We’re going to pray for the fallen and then go on to the march,” he said.

TOPSHOT - Demonstrators protest during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 19, 2017. Venezuela braced for rival demonstrations Wednesday for and against President Nicolas Maduro, whose push to tighten his grip on power has triggered waves of deadly unrest that have escalated the country's political and economic crisis. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator takes part in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on April 20, 2017. Venezuelan riot police fired tear gas Thursday at groups of protesters seeking to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who have vowed new mass marches after a day of deadly unrest. Police in western Caracas broke up scores of opposition protesters trying to join a larger march, though there was no immediate repeat of Wednesday's violent clashes, which left three people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A Venezuelan opposition activist is backdropped by a burning barricade during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters rallied on Monday vowing to block Venezuela's main roads to raise pressure on Maduro after three weeks of deadly unrest that have left 21 people dead. Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up one of the first rallies in eastern Caracas early Monday while other groups were gathering elsewhere, the opposition said. / AFP PHOTO / Ronaldo SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)

Fending off tear gas

Gas masks, real and improvised, are a must. “Before, I didn’t use one, just my shirt,” Castillo said. “Later, I tried diapers soaked in vinegar. Now I use a mask I make with a canned ham tin filled with cotton, charcoal and held together by elastic. It’s not the best, but it helps.” Castillo also brings Maalox. Protesters rub the antacid on their faces in hopes it will neutralize the tear gas.

Venezuelan opposition activists clash with police forces during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, on April 24, 2017. Protesters rallied on Monday vowing to block Venezuela's main roads to raise pressure on Maduro after three weeks of deadly unrest that have left 21 people dead. Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up one of the first rallies in eastern Caracas early Monday while other groups were gathering elsewhere, the opposition said. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)

Helmets and hope

Like many protesters, Castillo wears a motorcycle helmet. Others strap on bicycle helmets — not as strong but protection of a sort. Protesters denounce what they say are Maduro’s undemocratic schemes to enhance his power. Still, despite the dismal economy, rising crime and mass shortages of medicines and food, Castillo envisions a better Venezuela. He has no plans to leave the country, though his father wishes he would. His hope? “That there is liberty, that I can walk on the street and not see people eating garbage. That I can leave [home] feeling secure I won’t be killed, because that’s the chance you take these days.”

Venezuelan opposition activists clash with the police during a march against the government of President NIcolas Maduro, in Caracas, on April 22, 2017, Venezuelans gathered Saturday for "silent marches" against President Nicolas Maduro, a test of his government's tolerance for peaceful protests after three weeks of violent unrest that has left 20 people dead. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDTRONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
(RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images)

Mogollon is a special correspondent. Chris Kraul in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.



UPDATES:

May 4, 11:55 a.m.: This article was updated to report the death toll had risen to 36.

3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with news of Wednesday’s protests.

This article was originally published at 3 a.m. May 3.

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