Zulia residents burn National Guard vehicle amid extortion allegations

Residents and merchants in the Cuatro Bocas community, located in the Mara municipality of Zulia state, staged a violent protest against members of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB). The unrest was triggered by allegations that officials had been extorting local residents and business owners, threatening legal action against those who refused to pay.

During the confrontation, community members detained several individuals accused of being police officers and set fire to one of the GNB vehicles. Local reports indicate that while similar incidents of alleged official misconduct have occurred in the area previously, this escalation resulted in significant physical confrontation and the destruction of state property.