Maduro turns to violent ‘mercenary’ colectivos to maintain order

[Maduro has increasingly relied upon colectivos to quash discontent]( April 25, 2019 When rolling blackouts once again left millions without water and electricity earlier this month in Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro called not on his military but loyal armed groups “to defend the peace of every neighborhood” and “every block.” The groups — widely known as colectivos — took up the call with zeal. As conditions in Venezuela have gone from dire to unliveable, Maduro has increasingly relied upon [colectivos to quash discontent and maintain social order.]( Also, [a picture has emerged]( of a group of nine, well-educated, homegrown suicide bombers in the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. Two were brothers, sons of a wealthy spice trader and pillar of the business community, a source close to the family said. And on Tuesday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning sexual violence in war.[It should have been an uncontroversial vote.]( — Anna Pratt, The Scan editor [No Images? Click here.]( [Maduro turns to violent ‘mercenary’ colectivos to maintain order]( [Maduro turns to violent ‘mercenary’ colectivos to maintain order]( Armed civilians loyal to embattled President Nicolás Maduro are more trusted than the military to restore order and quell dissent in Venezuela. [Maduro turns to violent ‘mercenary’ colectivos to maintain order]( [Maduro turns to violent ‘mercenary’ colectivos to maintain order]( Armed civilians loyal to embattled President Nicolás Maduro are more trusted than the military to restore order and quell dissent in Venezuela. [How the Sri Lanka attacks relate to broader terrorism patterns]( [How the Sri Lanka attacks relate to broader terrorism patterns]( Poverty is often seen as one of the reasons for radicalization, but it is often the disproportionately educated and wealthy who participate in terrorist attacks. [How the Sri Lanka attacks relate to broader terrorism patterns]( [How the Sri Lanka attacks relate to broader terrorism patterns]( Poverty is often seen as one of the reasons for radicalization, but it is often the disproportionately educated and wealthy who participate in terrorist attacks. [A UN resolution condemning sexual violence against women should've been uncontroversial]( [A UN resolution condemning sexual violence against women should've been uncontroversial]( On Tuesday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning sexual violence in war. It should have been an uncontroversial vote. [A UN resolution condemning sexual violence against women should've been uncontroversial]( [A UN resolution condemning sexual violence against women should've been uncontroversial]( On Tuesday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning sexual violence in war. It should have been an uncontroversial vote. [Japan’s next emperor is a modern, multilingual environmentalist]( [Japan’s next emperor is a modern, multilingual environmentalist]( Japan's 86-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicates on April 30 — an exceedingly rare event for this ancient monarchy. Can his son, Prince Naruhito, give Japan's royal family a modern makeover? [With eyes on the presidency, Mayor Pete seeks a 'generational alliance' to tackle climate change]( [With eyes on the presidency, Mayor Pete seeks a 'generational alliance' to tackle climate change]( The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, is running for president. His fans call him Mayor Pete and he was virtually unknown until recently, but this Rhodes Scholar and veteran of Navy intelligence is riding high on a wave of media attention, in part because of his relentless focus on the future instead of the past. Hey, Scan reader… PRI takes a global approach to the news of the day. We help you understand how what happens around the world matters in Washington and in your neighborhood. Today more than ever, we need conversations, perspectives and diverse voices. [Donate Today >]( Enjoying The Scan? Forward it to a friend! And if you’re not getting it daily, it’s easy to subscribe. [Sign up here](. We also love feedback, so please [tell us how we’re doing](. Today’s newsletter was written by Anna Pratt. Find her on Twitter: [@annapratt](. [Press release]( [PRI Facebook]( [PRI Twitter]( [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( The Scan is brought to you by [GlobalPost]( and [PRI - Public Radio International](.