The ever-growing popular demonstrations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are now being attacked by armed gangs (colectivos) created by the government. They are increasingly using firearms to disperse the demonstrations with the resulting casualties and now, even fatalities.

Maduro knows he's swirling the bowl and will now resort to any means at his disposal to avoid the inevitable. Democracy, Bolivarian Revolution style.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/world/americas/armed-civilian-bands-in-venezuela-prop-up-unpopular-president.html