What do y'all think? Is this the modern day equivalent...........

[freshwest]

15. JC with a gun? Sounds RW. And if they're controlling 'one of Caracas’ most violent slums'

They are not doing a good job of protecting the people as a 'militia' might be employed by the residents, if this is true. Why would a militia enforcing access to the neighborhood be a plus if crime is still high?

Possibly the existence of such an armed militia or their support for Chavez is causing the neigbhorhood to be classifed as violent, especially if gun ownership and such associations are illegal.

When RW militias operated at large estates or behind gates in Latin America, their actions were not up for press scrutiny. Weren't they purveyors of violence, but with the umbrella of property to shield their acts?

This group is controlling a small area, not a large estate or compound.The day-to-day life of the people in the neigbhorhood would be the indicator of what this group would be working to achieve.

This may be sensationalism to smear Chavez. I support social justice for the unlanded poor in Venezuela and standing up to foreign interests to make them pay a fair price for resources. But I don't know any Latinos who like him, they regard him as a crook and terrorist.

I don't really know the facts on the ground, or if this is a good thing or not, but it sounds like gangs or mafia activity controlling an area.