It is very difficult to generalize, each slum has its own universe, actors and logic. Last year, when a violent incident took place in Petare, I made very similar comments. Anyone who intends to speak about La Vega, Cota 905, or the events that took place or are still taking place there should be familiar with the area in some way, either because it is the object of their field studies, observations, monitoring or analysis, or because they live in that place. This is not my case, and that is why I can only refer to very basic and general questions that any criminologist or sociologist specialized in the criminal system or the study of violence could discuss, more than just repeating what is already abundant on social media. At this stage, we must avoid unfounded opinions.
I believe three basic things must be taken into account when reflecting on these events: the context of deep structural violence that Venezuelans suffer, the structure of illicit opportunities offered by the system itself, and the institutional violence that is functional to both.
Structural violence
In the first place, how and why do gangs with this high firepower form? This phenomenon is a sample of the institutional precariousness of the State at various levels: the most fundamental is the social and economic levels. This is known as structural violence and has to do with social exclusion and the non-satisfaction of the most basic needs of the population. This absence of a real Social State, with truly universal, non-discriminatory, sustainable, institutionalized, non-clientelistic and non-sporadic policies, is the mother of all other forms of violence. It is the type of violence that deprives, for example, excluded young people of sufficient opportunities for a life in the licit world. Greater social exclusion reduces the options for legal life, especially in our current context where the private and public economy is broken. What legal options are currently being offered to young people in the country?
