VP Maduro approves funds for victims of Caracazo

On February 27, 1989, the people were filled with "an explosive fever of rebellion," said Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolás Maduro during a ceremony in commemoration of the events downtown Caracas.

In his speech, Maduro disclosed the approval of funds to indemnify "a substantial percentage of families and youngsters who were slain and gave their lives 24 years ago." The amount totals USD 1.93 million to enforce a decree issued by President Hugo Chávez on February 17, 2009.

"Victims and relatives have been gradually identified, and little by little the relatives of the fallen have been secured. Under this memorandum account, 34 families are being safeguarded," he said.

In the ceremony, also attended by National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello, Maduro extolled the civilian-military union which, according to him, is present nowadays. In his words, "the massacred people mean power in Venezuela and lead a beautiful, democratic and socialist revolution."