Venezuelan thugs kicked protesters out of a square with tear gas.

The shortages that the protesters resent are confirmed by a friend of mine. Chavistas say that they are caused by US economic warfare, but I am skeptical of that. There are plenty of Latin American countries friendly to Venezuela that would be happy to export food to Venezuela and do not particularly respect the US. The shortages must be due to price controls or some other state economic policy.

Despite that, it is the wealthier people that are complaining. The poor are still mostly content with Chavismo because its aid has reduced their poverty. They were much worse off when the wealthier people, those now protesting, controlled the state.

The punishment of over 20 thugs for brutality is exemplary. Plenty of countries have thugs that commit brutality against protesters, and protect those thugs. For instance, in New York City.