Name: Venezuela: Armed militias accused of intimidation and violence
Uploaded: 2026-01-16T13:13:40.368Z
Duration: 2 min 17 s
Description: Government-linked groups in Venezuela have long been controversial.

Government-linked groups in Venezuela have long been controversial.

Caracas

Community-based groups called colectivos in Venezuela have been accused by human rights organizations and political opposition of engaging in intimidation and violence, allegations the groups deny. Al Jazeera interviewed members of the CUPAS colectivo, who stated their mission is to protect local communities, promote social organization, and support President Nicolás Maduro's policies.

CUPAS members emphasized their rejection of violence and described their efforts to help vulnerable communities, particularly in Guarenas near Caracas. They expressed continued loyalty to Maduro, opposition to foreign intervention, and support for a negotiated solution to Venezuela's political crisis, positioning themselves as a force for peace and development.

Venezuela: Armed militias accused of intimidation and violence

Colectivos are community-based groups that have historically aligned themselves with Venezuela's Bolivarian movement. Human rights organizations and political opposition groups have accused some colectivos of intimidation and violence, allegations the groups deny. Al Jazeera spoke exclusively with one of these groups named CUPAS. The group says it rejects violence and describes its mission as protecting local communities and promoting what it calls social organization. CUPAS was created as a social movement to protect the social politics of our President Nicolás Maduro. We want a movement created to bring peace to all Venezuelans, for peace and quiet to prevail in every community. Colectivos say their mission is helping vulnerable communities in Guarenas, a city in greater Caracas. The colectivo says its plans to maintain a visible presence in the streets, citing what it describes as political uncertainty and external pressure on Venezuela. CUPAS claims that says they will still be loyal to Nicolás Maduro, regardless of the accusation against him. We expect President Nicolás Maduro to return soon. From the crib of the revolution, President Maduro, we send you our best regards. All the people are with you. The movement also includes women and young people who say they want peace and development for their neighborhoods. They expressed opposition to foreign military intervention, saying they support a negotiated solution for Venezuela's political crisis. My work is that CUPAS is not seen as a guerrilla group. We don't want to be seen as something to destroy, but as something to help the communities. I want that everything improves, and we want our President Maduro to return to power. For many Venezuelans, they are both a reminder of the state's fragility and protection. As the country navigates sanctions, internal division and external pressures, the colectivos are a symbol of how powers, politics and daily life are inseparable in Venezuela. Nori Soto, Al Jazeera, Caracas.

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