Disaffected Venezuelan Military Tell of Rising Desertions to Brazil

Disaffected Venezuelan Military Tell of Rising Desertions to Brazil
Venezuelan military deserters, of the National Guard, who don’t want to be identified, stand at the border point with Venezuela, in Pacaraima, Brazil April 11, 2019. Pilar Olivares/Reuters
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Venezuelan military personnel are deserting to Colombia and Brazil in growing numbers, refusing to follow orders to repress protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, six of them told Reuters.

A lieutenant and five sergeants of the National Guard, the main force used by the Maduro government to suppress widespread demonstrations, said the bulk was going to Colombia, the most accessible border, but others like themselves had left for Brazil.