San Francisco de Yuruaní facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kumarakapay
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| San Francisco de Yuruaní | |
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 Kumarakapay
Location in Venezuela
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| Country | Venezuela |
| State | Bolívar (state) |
| Municipality | Gran Sabana |
| Ethnicities | |
| • Majority | Pemon |
San Francisco de Yuruaní, also known as Kumarakapay, is a town in Venezuela. Most of the people living here are from the Pemon people, who are an indigenous group.
Contents
What is the Economy Like?
The town's economy mostly depends on visitors. Many tourists come from Brazil to see the area.
The Kumarakapay Incident
In 2019, some countries offered help to Venezuela. The Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, saw this help as an attempt to remove him from power. He tried to stop the aid from entering the country. This led to conflicts between government forces and Pemon protesters.
On February 22, 2019, the Venezuelan Army sent troops towards the Brazilian border. They drove through Kumarakapay, even though the Pemon people had some control over their town. Local Pemon leaders and protesters tried to stop the army vehicles. They built a roadblock and managed to hold back some soldiers.
Other Venezuelan soldiers then fired at the protesters. Five Pemon people were killed, and about 12 more were hurt. Reports said that soldiers followed protesters into their homes and shot them. Hundreds of Pemon people ran into the nearby forests and other communities to be safe. Later, 23 people were arrested by the army. Among those who died were a local tour guide named Rolando Garcia and his wife, Zoraida Rodríguez. She was killed outside her home.
Justo Noguera, the governor of Bolivar state, said that the Pemon's attempt to stop the military vehicles was a "terrorist attack." He also said that the people who died were not civilians.
What Happened Next?
The next day, people in San Francisco de Yuruaní tried to stop another group of soldiers going to the border. Jose Montoya, a Venezuelan General in charge of the army in that area, tried to help the Pemon people.
The military acted quickly this time. They arrested General Montoya and four Pemon people almost right away. Someone nearby heard an officer shout, "So you Pemon tribesmen think you’re tough? You’re going to die here." General Montoya and his companions have not been seen since.
After these events, between 966 and 1,500 Pemon people, many from Kumarakapay, went to Brazil. They were afraid of more problems and unfair treatment. This was one of the largest movements of people in South American history. The town's mayor also left the country for Brazil.
Later, the army killed 11 people in Santa Elena de Uairén.
Former governor Andrés Velásquez stated that fourteen people were killed. He also said that many died because the hospital in Santa Elena did not have the supplies needed to help them. By the end of the conflict, Romel Guzamana, a Pemon leader, said that at least 25 Pemon people were killed. The National Assembly also reported that 80 Pemon people had disappeared since the events.
How Did People React?
Venezuelan authorities later said that the Pemon locals were supported by other countries. Jorge Arreaza tweeted that it was a plan by other governments to cause trouble and violence in Venezuela. Jorge Rodriguez shared similar thoughts.
The main leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Juan Guaidó, tweeted that the events in Kumarakapay were "murder." He said that how the government treated Indigenous communities would "not go unpunished."
See also
In Spanish: San Francisco de Yuruaní para niños
