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Headlines about ongoing violence in Venezuela are practically inescapable, with at least 124 people dead since opposition-led protests aimed at toppling the government began in early April.
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In addition to those killed, hundreds have been injured in the protests.
Right-wing opposition leaders have attempted to portray the deaths as examples of state repression and evidence of the "dictatorship" that they are aiming to topple. Mainstream media have by and large echoed this version of events, using titles like “Venezuelan Regime Has Blood On Its Hands” and “Venezuela's Tiananmen Moment."
Some outlets have even gone as far as claiming the elected government of President Nicolas Maduro as engaging in “a campaign of state genocide.”
The reality of the situation on the ground, however, demonstrates something very different.
Here’s a breakdown of those killed since the opposition protests began.
April 6
1. Jairo Ortiz: the 19-year-old student, was shot by transit police Officer Rohenluis Leonel Mata in the state of Miranda. Venezuelan police immediately detained Mata, who is set to face criminal charges.
April 10
2. Daniel Queliz: the 19-year-old college student from Carabobo was shot by police while participating in an opposition protest.
3. Ricarda de Lourdes: the 83-year-old woman died at her home in Caracas on April 10 from hydrocephalus. When her symptoms began flaring earlier that day, she was unable to be transported to a nearby hospital because opposition protesters blocked all of the neighborhood’s roads, preventing ambulances from picking her up.
April 11
4. Yey Amaro: 37-year-old police officer in the state of Lara, was hit by a vehicle driven by opposition protesters on April 11 after trying to mediate protests in his home state.
5. Miguel Colmenares: the 36-year-old opposition supporter from Lara died from multiple wounds received after the detonation of explosive devices in Barquisimeto, Lara state.
6. Gruseny Canelon: the 32-year-old opposition supporter from Lara died of organ failure after being shot during an anti-government demonstration. Fifteen members of the National Guard have been placed under arrest in the incident.
7. Oliver Villa: the 29-year-old digital marketing entrepreneur was shot by unidentified assailants on motorbikes in Caracas after evading an opposition barricade in the El Paraiso sector of Caracas.
April 12
8. Brayan Principal: the 14-year-old resident of the Ali Primera Socialist City was shot by opposition protesters after they toppled the main gate of the commune.
9. Carlos Moreno: the 17-year-old student was shot in the head while in Caracas. Family members say he was not involved in the protest, and it is suspected his murder was perpetrated by armed robbers who stole his motorcycle.
April 19
10. Niumar Sanclemente: the 28-year-old sergeant with the National Guard was apparently killed by sniper fire in Los Teques, the capital of the state of Merida.
11. Paola Ramirez: the 23-year-old college student from Tachira was shot while in the vicinity of a demonstration. A member of the right-wing Vente Venezuela opposition group is under arrest for the murder.
April 20
12. Kevin Leon: the 19-year-old bakery worker in the El Valle district of Caracas, was shot by opposition protesters who were vandalizing his workplace.
13. Ramon Martinez: the 28-year-old cook who worked in the same bakery as Kevin Leon in the El Valle district of Caracas was shot by opposition protesters as he tried to protect the store.
14. Francisco Gonzalez: the 34-year-old died during the vandalization of the El Valle bakery.
15. Elio Manuel Pacheco Perez: the 20-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
16. Jairo Ramírez: the 47-years-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
17. Robert Joel Centeno Briceño: the 29-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
18. William Heriberto Marrero Rebolledo: the 33-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
19. Jonathan Meneses: the 27-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
20. Stivenson Zamora: the 21-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
21. Kenyer Alexander Aranguren Pérez: the 20-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
22. Yorgeiber Rafael Barrena Bolívar: the 15-year-old was electrocuted while attempting to loot a bakery in El Valle, Caracas.
23. Mervin Guitan: the 26-year-old who worked for a mayor's office in Sucre was shot by unidentified gunmen as he walked near a protest.
24. Alberto Rodriguez: the 16-year-old died from suffocation from tear gas used in El Valle, Caracas.
25. Eyker Daniel Rojas Gil: the Lara state native was shot while passing by an opposition protest in Barquisimeto on his way home.
April 23
26. Almelina Carrillo: the 47-year-old was struck in the head with a frozen water bottle thrown from a building while walking near a pro-government march in Caracas on April 19 and died a few days later.
April 24
27. Jesus Sulbaran: the 41-year-old criminology student and an official in the governor's office in Merida was killed while participating in a pro-government demonstration, according to Venezuela’s ombudsman.
28. Renzo Rodriguez: the 54-year-old was killed in the state of Barinas from a gunshot wound to his chest when he was in the vicinity of the mayor's office of the municipality of Barinas.
29. Orlando Jhosep: the 23-year-old died of a gunshot wound during a protest in the city of El Tocuyo, Lara state.
30. Daniel Infante: the 25-year-old transportation worker was killed while participating in a pro-government demonstration, according to Venezuela’s ombudsman.
31. Luis Marquez: the 52-year-old was shot and killed in the capital of the state of Merida while taking part in a pro-government demonstration.
April 25
32. Efrain Sierra: the 27-year-old lost his life after receiving a bullet in the stomach on April 24 as he resisted the theft of his motorcycle while passing through an opposition barricade. Disturbingly, there are also other people whose murders during these dates raise concerns about targeted assassinations and possible paramilitary activity.
33. Christian Humberto Ochoa Soriano: the 22-year-old college student from Carabobo was shot by police while participating in an opposition protest.
April 26
34. Juan Pablo Pernalete Llovera: the 20-year-old was killed Wednesday in Chacao after being hit by a gas cannister.
May 2
35. Angel Enrique Moreira Gonzalez: the 28-year-old died after trying to dodge a barricade placed by an opposition march blocking a highway in the state of Miranda, as his motorcycle crashed into another car.
36. Ana Victoria Colmenarez de Hernandez: the 43-year-old died in the state of Carabobo when the bus she was traveling in crashed trying to dodge a street barricade. Police have yet to confirm the identity of another person that would have been killed in the same accident. On this same date, the opposition had called for communities across Venezuela to block all access to their towns by building barricades.
37. Maria de los Angeles Guanipa: the 38-year-old was killed in the same bus accident as Ana Victoria Colmenarez de Hernandez. She was originally from Coro in Falcon state.
38. Yonathan Quintero: the 21-year-old was killed by a store owner when a group of people tried to loot his store in the state of Carabobo.
39. Carlos Eduardo Aranguren Salcedo: the Caracas native died in the city's Puente Baloa neighborhood near a violent opposition demonstration while buying breakfast for his brothers.
May 3
40. Armando Cañizales: the 18-year-old died due to a gunshot wound on his neck during an opposition march blocking one of the main highways in Caracas.
May 4
41. Gerardo Barrera: the 38-year-old police officer was shot during an opposition demonstration in the town of La Pradera, in the state of Carabobo, around 100 miles west of Caracas.
42. Juan Bautista Lopez Manjarrez: the 33-year-old student organizer and United Socialist Party of Venezuela, PSUV, member was shot at the Territorial Polytechnic University in Anzoategui by an unknown shooter. Lopez was killed a day after publicly backing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s proposal for a national constituent assembly during a press conference.
May 5
43. Hecder Lugo: the 20-year-old died after being shot in the head during a protest held in Valencia the day before.
44. Miguel ‘Mike’ Joseph Medina Romero: the 20-year-old died after being shot in the abdomen on May 3 during an opposition protest in Zulia state.
May 7
45. Cesar Guzman: the 22-year-old college student was shot in the head after participating in a student assembly in the El Tigre area of Anzoategui.
May 10
46. Miguel Castillo: the 27-year-old died during an opposition demonstration in the Las Mercedes neighborhood of Caracas.
47. Anderson Dugarte: the 32-year-old died after being hit in the head by a projectile of a firearm while riding a motorcyle near an opposition protest two days earlier.
May 12
48. Carlos Enrique Hernandez: the 30-year-old was driving a motorcycle with a companion and collided with a street barricade, or guarimba, set up by opposition protesters.
49. Jose Muñoz Alcoholado: the victim, of Chilean origin, was in a restaurant in Caracas during an activity supporting Maduro when two opposition protesters entered and shot him. Alcoholado was a former member of the Revolutionary Left Movement, a Chilean Marxist-Leninist militant organization that fought against right-wing dictator Augusto Pinochet.
May 15
50. Luis Alviarez: the 17-year-old died after being reportedly shot while demonstrating in Palmira, Tachira state. An investigation has been opened into his death.
51. Javier Antonio Velazquez Cardenas: the 42-year-old business owner was murdered nearby a gas station in Merida state amid a local opposition protest. He was approached by armed subjects who shot him three times and left him lying on the floor.
52. Isabel Torrealba: the 54-year-old died of a stroke while caught in the middle of an opposition protest against national guards.
May 16
53. Diego Hernandez: the 33-year-old from the Capacho Nuevo municipality in Tachira state died after being shot in the chest during an opposition protest. Tachira police have been implicated in his death and a Tachira prosecutor has been put in charge of the case. Minister of Interior Relations Nestor Reverol confirmed that he was a member of the PSUV and that he was working as a taxi driver when he was assassinated.
54. Diego Fernando Arellano: the 32-year-old biologist died in a local clinic after being injured during an opposition protest in the city of San Antonio de los Altos, a middle-class suburb about 10 miles from Caracas.
55. Yeison Mora Castillo: the 17-year-old was wounded on May 15 and died today in Barinas state. A prosecutor of the state has been named to lead the investigation.
May 17
56. Jose Francisco Guerrero: the 15-year-old was shot the day before while shopping nearby an opposition protest in Tachira state. His relatives indicated that he was not a member of any demonstration.
57. Manuel Castellanos: the 46-year-old was shot while commuting to a local store in Tachira state to purchase diapers. His death was not connected to protests.
May 18
58. Pedro Josue Carrillo: the 20-year-old was found dead with gunshot wounds in Lara state after being kidnapped several days before. He was a leader of the PSUV in his home state as well as the Socialista Guerrera Ana Soto commune that forms part of the Bolivar and Chavez Mission.
59. Daniel Rodriguez: the 18-year-old college student was shot by unknown suspects on a motorcycle in the Cordoba area of Tachira.
60. Paul Moreno: the 24-year-old college student was run over at a barricade by a van in Zulia.
May 19
61. Jorge Escandon: the 37-year-old community law enforcement officer was shot by opposition protesters with a makeshift gun in the Naguanagua area of Carabobo state.
May 20
62. Edy Alejandro Teran Aguilar: the 23-year-old was shot during demonstrations in the El Murachi district of the city of Valera. Authorities reported that armed people opened fire against protesters, hitting Teran in the chest. Teran and at least two other people injured in the incident were taken to the hospital, where the 23-year-old victim was pronounced dead on arrival.
63. Orlando Jose Figuera Esparragoza: the 20-year-old was killed in Miranda while traveling to his uncle's house after leaving work. He was approached by an unknown group of protesters and stabbed to death.
May 22
64. Yorman Ali Bervecia Cabeza: the 18-year-old was shot in the city of Barinas after opposition demonstrators began to attack the Bolivarian National Guard.
The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
65. Elvis Adonis Montilla Pérez: the 20-year-old was shot during a demonstration in the city of Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
66. Alfredo José Briceño Carrizales: the 25-year-old father was shot during a demonstration in the city of Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
67. Miguel Ángel Bravo Ramírez: 25-year-old was shot during a demonstration in the municipality Antonio José de Sucre in Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
68. Freiber Darío Pérez Vielma: 21-year-old was shot during a demonstration in the Dominga Ortiz de Páez parish in Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
May 23
69. Juan Sánchez: 21-year-old was shot during a demonstration in Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
70. Erick Molina: 35-year-old was shot during a demonstration in Barinas. The circumstances are being investigated by the prosecutor of Barinas state.
71. Mauro Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez: 60-year-old father of four and PDVSA truck driver died after not being able to receive medical attention due to violent roadblocks by protestors in the city of Barinas.
May 24
72. Augusto Pugas: the 22-year-old student was killed after being shot in the head during a protest near the University in Ciudad Bolivar.
73. Adrian Jose Duque Bravo: the 23-year-old was killed during an opposition protest in Zulia.
74. Augusto Sergio Puga Velasquez: the 22-year-old medical student was shot in the head while passing by an opposition protest in Bolivar.
May 25
75. Manuel Alejandro Sosa Aponte: the 33-year-old food company worker was shot in the back during an opposition protest in Lara.
May 27
76. Cesar David Pereira Villegas: the 20-year-old was killed after being shot nearby a protest in Anzoategui.
77. Danny Jose Subero: the 34-year-old retired National Guard member died nearby a funeral held by opposition protesters in Lara. He was approached by unknown assailants on a motorcycle who shot at him, blew up his car and later robbed him.
May 31
78. Nelson Antonio Moncada Gomez: the 37-year-old judge who oversaw opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez's criminal trial was shot while passing by a street barricade organized by opposition protesters in Caracas. Upon identifying him, an unknown protester shot him, later proceeding to rob him.
June 1
79. Maria Estefania Rodriguez: the 45-year-old hotel waitress was shot several times as she walked by a protest in Lara.
June 3
80. Yoinier Javier Peña Hernandez: the 28-year-old died at the Central University Hospital after being shot by unknown gunmen nearby a protest in Lara on April 10.
81. Luis Miguel Gutierrez Molina: the 20-year-old died at the Hospital Universitario de Los Andes after being shot on May 17 while passing by a protest in Merida.
June 13
82. Douglas Acevedo Sanchez: the 42-year-old police officer was shot in the neck during a violent opposition protest in Merida. Two students and another police officer were also left injured.
June 15
83. Luis Enrique Vera: the 20-year-old died at a protest at the Rafael Belloso Chacin University in northern Maracaibo in Zulia state, after being dragged by a truck that opposition forces had tried to detain.
June 16
84. Nelson Daniel Arevalo Avendaño: the 24-year-old student died in Barquisimeto, Lara state from severe mortar explosion wounds. The explosion, according to Venezuelan authorities, was triggered by armed protesters.
June 19
85. Fabian Urbina: the 17-year-old was participating in an opposition demonstration on the Francisco Fajardo highway in the municipality of Chacao, Miranda state, where he was injured after being shot in the chest. He was transferred to a private clinic in the area where he died. Two officials of the Bolivarian National Guard have been detained for the misuse of firearms.
June 22
86. David Vallenilla: the 22-year-old was shot during a violent demonstration by the Venezuelan opposition in the Altamira section of Caracas. The Venezuelan Public Ministry will investigate the murder, which the opposition claims was committed by state forces.
June 27
87. Ronny Parra: the 27-year-old National Guard member was killed during an "irregular" situation in Maracay, Aragua.
June 28
88. Luigin Paz: the 20-year-old driver was burned to death in Zulia state by opposition protesters after they threw molotov cocktails at his vehicle. Paz was reportedly trying to escape an opposition street blockade, but was attacked after collided into a motorcycle behind his vehicle. Another passenger, 33-year-old Jose Bravo, suffered third-degree burns to 95 percent of his body.
June 29
89. Alfredo Figuera: the 18-year-old was hit with a bullet as he walked past an anti-government riot in Aragua state.
June 30
90. Eduardo Jose Marquez Albarran: the 20-year-old student died from gunshot wounds received during a June 13 opposition protest in Merida.
July 1
91. Ramses Martinez: the 20‐year‐old student organizer for the Francisco de Miranda Front died from gunshot wounds received a day earlier in Barquisimeto. Martinez was reportedly shot by right‐wing protesters who attacked him as he cleaned up debris from an opposition street blockade.
92. Fernando Rojas: the 49‐year‐old died from injuries sustained during a protest on June 30 in Lara.
93. Jose Gregorio Mendoza: the 44‐year‐old died from injuries sustained during a protest on June 30 in Lara.
94. Ruben Morillo: the 33‐year‐old died from injuries sustained during a protest on June 30 in Lara.
July 4
95. Engler Alexander Duque: the 24‐year‐old died during opposition protests in the town of Tariba in Tachira. The official Twitter account of the government of Tachira state said the youth died while handling homemade explosives.
July 10
96. Jose Luis Rivas Aranguren: the 41-year-old National Constituent Assembly candidate was shot dead during a campaign event in Girardot, Aragua state.
97. Manuel Angel Villalobos Urdaneta: the 22-year-old student died from a car accident in Maracaibo, Zulia state. According to witnesses, Villalobos crashed into a tree trunk after attempting to avoid an opposition street blockade.
July 11
98. Yanet Angulo Parra: the 55-year-old retired teacher was shot nearby an opposition protest in El Tocuyo, Lara state.
July 12
99. Argenis Herrera: the 17-year-old student was killed while commuting nearby the Orient University in Bolivar state. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation.
July 18
100. Hector Anuel: the Anzoategui state resident was burned alive by a group of opposition protesters who hit him with a home-made mortar, commonly used by opposition protesters.Before Anuel was burned, he was pummeled with stones and other street blockade debris. Opposition sites claim Anuel was a government supporter.
July 20
101. Rooney Eloy Tejera Soler: the 24-year-old student was shot dead in Guaicaipuro, Miranda state during an opposition street protest.
102. Andres Jose Uzcategui Avila: the 23-year-old student died from injuries incurred while trying to throw an explosive device at officials of the National Bolivarian Guard in Valencia, Carabobo.
103. Victor Manuel Marquez Luengo: the 34-year-old opposition protester died from numerous injuries received after jumping out of a Ministry of Housing building in Maracaibo, Zulia state. Marquez was one of several protesters who was reportedly trying to force Ministry of Housing employees to stop working as part of the opposition-called national "strike." After setting fire to an area of the building when the employees didn't comply, he was surrounded by flames and allegedly jumped out of the building onto the street.
104. Eury Rafael Hurtado: the 34-year-old died from gunshot wounds received during a clash between opposition protesters and police in Guaicaipuro, Miranda state.
105. Yamileth Margarita Vasquez: the 51-year-old was electrocuted inside of a supermarket in Maracaibo, Zulia state when opposition protesters looted the entrance of the business. Details surrounding her death are still being investigated.
July 26
106. Rafael Antonio Vergara: the 30-year-old died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest in Ejida, Merida state.
107. Jean Carlos Aponte: the 16-year-old student died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest in Petare, Miranda state.
July 27
108. Enderson Calderas: the 20-year-old student died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest a day prior in Timotes, Merida state.
109. Leonardo Gonzalez Barreto: the 48-year-old died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest in Valencia, Carabobo state. The circumstances of his death are still being investigated.
110. Gilimbert Teran: the 16-year-old died from gunshot wounds received while caught in the middle of an opposition protest in the El Paraiso area of Caracas.
111. Rafael Canache: the 29-year-old died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest in El Jabillote, Anzoategui state.
112. Jose Miguel Pestano Canelon: the 23-year-old died from gunshot wounds received during an opposition protest in Cabudare, Lara state.
July 28
113. Oneiver Johan Quiñones Ramirez: the 30-year-old police officer died from gunshot wounds received a day prior while trying to clear an opposition roadblock in Campo Lias, Merida state.
114. Gustavo Villamiza: the 18-year-old was shot in the head in San Cristobal, Tachira state. Opposition lawmakers claim police were responsible for his death. Government officials are still investigating the circumstances of his death.
July 29
115. José Félix Pineda: 39-year-old ANC candidate, was at home in with family Bolivar state when two men came to the residence and opened fire against Pinada. The circumstances of his death are still being investigated.
116. Marcel Pereira: 39-year-old was in the vicinity of the demonstrations convened by the MUD in Merida when armed individuals opened fire on the demonstrators. The circumstances of his death are still being investigated.
July 30
117. Ricardo Campos: 30-year-old was on Avenida Bolivar in Sucre when he was killed. It was not clear if he was participating any protest he was a youth leader of the opposition Democratic Action party.
118. Angel Yordano Méndez: the 28-year-old and another person attempted to remove electoral material from an educational unit in the custody of the Republic Plan in Merida. The military is accused of having shot them, but the Minister of Defense denied any military participation such incident. The circumstances of his death are still being investigated.
119. Eduardo Olav: the 39-year-old and another person attempted to remove electoral material from an educational unit in the custody of the Republic Plan in Merida. The military is accused of having shot them, but the Minister of Defense denied any military participation such incident. The circumstances of his death are still being investigated.
120. Luis Zambrano: the 43-year-old was not participating in any protest when he was killed in Lara. The Public Ministry is in charge of this case.
121. Ronald Ramírez Rosales: The Justice and Peace Ministry say the victim attempted to assault the military college in Tachira, while the prosecution says he was a demonstration around the school. The deceased was wounded in an eye by a firearm the military clash. The State Attorney of Tachira state is investigating the case.
122. Luis Ortíz: the 17-year-old was at an opposition demonstration in Tachira that was attacked by armed groups. The Public Ministry is in charge of this case.
123. Adrián Rodríguez: the 13-year-old was in the vicinity of an anti-government demonstration, but it is not clear if he was demonstrating. The Public Ministry is in charge of this case.
Aug 6
124. Ramón Rivas: the 58-year-old was wounded by firearm while a demonstration that happened the same day of the attack on Fort Paramacay in Carabobo state.
The next two cases were not directly related to the marches, but the political nature of their work has raised concern that their deaths could be part of a broader trend.
April 23
Esmin Ramirez: the Venezuelan trade unionist was killed in the southeastern state of Bolivar after being kidnapped in an act that people close to him claim was politically motivated. Ramirez, who was a member of the Movement 21 labor syndicate in the state-run iron ore producer Ferrominera and part of the PSUV political party in Cachamay, was killed in El Rinconcito sector in Guayana City, a city along the bank of the Orinoco River in Bolivar state.
Jackeline Ortega: murdered in the greater Caracas area in Santa Lucia del Tuy. Ortega was also a member of the PSUV as well as a leader in the Local Committee on Supply and Production, known as CLAP, a government-created alternative food distribution program.
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