Latin America & Caribbean
In photos: Masked for battle, Venezuelan protesters find ingenious ways to protect themselves
According to authorities, 37 Venezuelans have died and hundreds have been arrested in demonstrations that have shaken the government of President Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks. Activists facing police and riot troops, cover their faces not just to hide their identity but also to protect themselves from a hail of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Masked demonstrators take cover during clashes with security forces at an opposition May Day march in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, May 1, 2017. Venezuelans are taking to the streets in dueling anti- and pro-government May Day demonstrations as an intensifying protest movement enters its second month.
AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
A masked opponent of President Nicolas Maduro stands at a barricade set up by protesters as security forces block protesters from reaching the national ombudsman office in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have flooded the streets over the last month to demand an end to Maduro's presidency. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Ariana Cubillos/AP
Protesters have been on the streets from more than a month, increasingly better prepared with masks and shields.
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Flags, shirts or any type of fabric are the most common protective masks of protesters. Those better prepared use old gas masks, making it look like a war from the last century.
Fernando Llano/Ap
A masked man, wearing a teddy bear face with an improvised air purification system, has drawn the attention of photographers who cover the protests.
Reuters/Carlos García Rawlins
The amount of tear gas fired by the authorities in the latest wave of protests is phenomenal. Gas rounds have been launched from helicopters, which even earned the condemnation of Venezuela's pro-government Ombudsman, who has come under fire for his lack of impartiality in the conflict.
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A protester wears an old hockey mask, in the style of the horror movie Friday the 13th.
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The mask that symbolizes the global radical group "Anonymous," is common among Venezuelan demonstrators.
Adriana Cubillos/Ap
A protester covers his face with a balaclava, and smears a Maalox antacid solution around his eyes to counteract the effects of tear gas and pepper spray.
Cristian Verón/Reuters
A homemade mask, made from a plastic water bottle. Tutorials on how to make your own masks can be found on YouTube and social media sites.
Marco Bello/Reuters
The eyes are protected by Maalox antacid solution and the neck and head with a tightly wrapped cloth which also covers the mouth and nose under an industrial quality gas mask.
Fernando Llano/Ap
A wounded protester is assisted by his masked companions, two who carry him and another who sprays him with a vinegar-laced chemical spray to mitigate the effect of the tear gas.
Reuters/Carlos García Rawlins
The varied assortment of masks have become a symbol of the protests in Venezuela, usually accompanied by gloves to be able to throw freshly-fired tear gas rounds back at the police.
Reuters/Carlos García Rawlins
This protester is about to hurl a live tear gas round at police.
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A home-made tear gas mask.
Cristian Verón/Reuters
The explosion of a tear-gas round doesn't trouble this protester, protected by a glove, ski goggles, an industrial tear gas mask and a shield.
Reuters/Carlos García Rawlins
A home-made tear gas mask using a water bottle.
Reuters/Carlos García Rawlins
Swimming goggles are also a common sight on masked protesters, as well as the Venezuelan flag.
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