Attackers torch buses at Venezuela university

[Judi Lynn]

Attackers torch buses at Venezuela university
Associated Press
Posted on June 19, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:33 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A group of masked assailants has attacked a leading university in the Venezuelan capital, torching two buses and seriously damaging its rectory building.

Amalio Belmonte is secretary-general of the Central University of Venezuela. He says about 20 people invaded the campus and shot firearms into the air Wednesday afternoon.

Belmonte says they set one bus on fire near the entrance to a study center and another outside the ground floor of the offices of the rectory. The fire from the second vehicle burned for more than a half-hour and damaged the building, plus important works of art.

Belmonte believes the attack was revenge for student protests that since June 7 have been demanding pay raises for professors and more funds for the university's budget.

A firefighter says nobody was hurt.

http://www.khou.com/news/world/212240051.html

(Short article, no more at link.)

[WestStar]

1. I thought that they were protesting bus fare increases

This is like setting your car ablaze to protest gas prices.

[Socialistlemur]

2. It's intimidation, not protest

There has been a student and professor strike seeking higher pay and more university funding. The budget hasn't been increased enough even though inflation averages over 20 % per year. So there's a lot of tension and pro government activists go in and threaten the university community at large. I went to Venezuela, to this campus to recruit future graduates and I was warned to be extremely careful. This particular university used to be very high quality but it seems to be deteriorating fast. But I did recruit six top students and we pulled them out of Venezuela, they turned out to be really good.