The protests in Venezuela against the government of President Nicolás Maduro continue on Wednesday, increasing in intensity after news broke out about the death of a young marketing student and beauty queen, Génesis Carmona, who was interned at a hospital on Tuesday night because she was shot in the head.
In an interview with Reuters, the family of the victim questioned the government's repressive actions.
"How long are we going to live like this? For how long do we have to tolerate this pressure, with them killing us? She only had a semester to go before graduating," said a family member, shocked by the regrettable loss.
22 year old Génesis Carmona was shot to the head during the protest in the capital of Carabobo. According to El Universal Venezuela, the young woman was interned at the Guerra Méndez Clinic where she underwent surgery; however, doctors of the Intensive Cares Unit confirmed her death at midday on Wednesday, which gives a total of five deaths since the protests began.
Leopoldo López Sends a Message to the Opposition: Tells Them Not to Stop Protesting
The tension between the government and opposition sympathizers increased after opposition leader Leopoldo López surrendered himself to National Guard troops in reply to an arrest order against him for the crimes of terrorism and murder.
Through a video broadcast on Tuesday night, a few hours after his arrest, Leopoldo asked the protestors not to stop until they manage to end the government that has "kidnapped the future of Venezuelans."
"Our cause has been, continues to be, and today more than ever has to be, the end of this government," said López in the speech recorded before his arrest and shared on his Twitter account.
Through his account on the microblogging website, López said that he would not give up the fight, inviting Venezuelans to do the same in their search for peace and ending violence in the country.
I'm innocent. I have nothing to fear. I will keep my head on high. My family and you are my strength to fight!
- Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) Feb. 18, 2014
I'm logging off. Thank you Venezuela. Change is inside each of us. We can't give up. I won't give up!
- Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) Feb. 18, 2014
López assured that he does not regret getting thousands of people to take to the streets of Venezuela's main cities on Feb. 12.
"That commitment has to be active," said López in reference to the shortage and insecurity conditions currently in Venezuela. "Change is in you," he added.