Caracazo
| Caracazo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Protests in Venezuela | |||
Top, left, right: Venezuelans cheering during the rioting; the looting of stores in Caracas; and police responding to a scene | |||
| Date | 27 February 1989 – 5 March 1989 (6 days) | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Austerity measures | ||
| Methods |
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| Resulted in |
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| Parties | |||
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| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | 277 (government) 2,000–5,000 (independent est.) | ||
| Injuries | 2,000+ | ||
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The Caracazo is the name given to the wave of protests, riots, and looting that started on 27 February 1989 in the Venezuelan city of Guarenas, spreading to Caracas and surrounding towns following austerity measures from President Carlos Andrés Pérez. Weeklong clashes resulted in numerous deaths, with estimates ranging from hundreds to thousands, attributed largely to security forces and military involvement, according to various reports. The riots and the protests began mainly in response to the government's economic reforms and the resulting increase in the price of gasoline and transportation