Sep 8, 2026 · 23 min · 8 segments
Episode 22 | Why did Venezuela’s 2014 protests fail to force Nicolás Maduro from power? As students filled the streets and opposition leaders rallied behind *La Salida*, the government responded…
Former Miss Venezuela is the latest murder victim in another high-profile crime in the South American nation.
As we saw in the last episode, the killing of the actress and her former husband had forced a country accustomed to violence to confront just how ordinary that violence had become.
Getting to class, taking the bus, or walking across campus could mean risking an assault.
And there was very little confidence that anyone would be held accountable.
In early February, an attempted rape on a university campus in San Cristóbal, in the western state of Táchira, set off student protests.
The authorities responded with repression and arrests.
Some detained students were transferred to a prison in another state, far from their families.
In solidarity, students in the neighboring state of Mérida mobilized as well.
As news of the arrests circulated, the demands expanded.
Students who had first protested because they were afraid of criminals were now demanding changes from the state.
And February 12th was approaching.
In Venezuela, the date commemorates the Battle of La Victoria, when young recruits helped defend the independence cause in 1814.
Two hundred years later, students across the country were preparing to march.
In 2007, the movement against the closure of the major television station RCTV had brought a generation of students into public life.
Later that year, students helped defeat Chávez's constitutional reform in a referendum.
They had challenged the government before.
They had even helped beat it.
Now, another generation of students was taking its place.
From there, they marched towards the Attorney General's office in the city center, demanding the release of the detained students.
For much of the day, the demonstration was peaceful.
Students marched alongside opposition supporters and political leaders.
Former Miss Venezuela is the latest murder victim in another high-profile crime in the South American nation.
As we saw in the last episode, the killing of the actress and her former husband had forced a country accustomed to violence to confront just how ordinary that violence had become.
Getting to class, taking the bus, or walking across campus could mean risking an assault.
And there was very little confidence that anyone would be held accountable.
In early February, an attempted rape on a university campus in San Cristóbal, in the western state of Táchira, set off student protests.
The authorities responded with repression and arrests.
Some detained students were transferred to a prison in another state, far from their families.
In solidarity, students in the neighboring state of Mérida mobilized as well.
As news of the arrests circulated, the demands expanded.
Students who had first protested because they were afraid of criminals were now demanding changes from the state.
And February 12th was approaching.
In Venezuela, the date commemorates the Battle of La Victoria, when young recruits helped defend the independence cause in 1814.
Two hundred years later, students across the country were preparing to march.
In 2007, the movement against the closure of the major television station RCTV had brought a generation of students into public life.
Later that year, students helped defeat Chávez's constitutional reform in a referendum.
They had challenged the government before.
They had even helped beat it.
Now, another generation of students was taking its place.
From there, they marched towards the Attorney General's office in the city center, demanding the release of the detained students.
For much of the day, the demonstration was peaceful.
Students marched alongside opposition supporters and political leaders.
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