Violent deaths of elderly people on the rise in Venezuela

Between January and June 2024, the NGO Convite recorded a total of 162 violent deaths of Older people in Venezuela, a fact that highlights the vulnerability of this age group in the country.

Of these deaths, according to a recent report, 31% were classified as resulting from specific causes, including mechanical asphyxiation, stabbing, firearms and beatings, with fighting being the main trigger.

Most of these incidents occurred in the victim’s own home, which highlights the lack of security even in spaces that should be safest for older adults.

In addition, there were elderly people who lost their lives in accidents involving vehicles, homes or work.

The report of Treat It also highlights two deaths directly attributable to the State, occurred in Lara and the Metropolitan Area of ​​Caracas, whether by action, omission or consent of the authorities.

The breakdown of violent deaths of older people in Venezuela:

• 8 elderly people died due to vehicle accidents.

• 12 in domestic accidents.

• 2 due to work accidents.

• 5 per immersion.

• 7 were burned to death.

• 1 due to poisoning.

• Sharp weapon: 22 deaths from wounds caused by penetrating sharp objects.

• Beatings: 8 elderly people died due to severe beatings, usually in the midst of robberies or fights.

• Run-overs: 40 elderly people were run over.

• Suicides: 16 elderly people took their own lives.

• Lack of care: 2 elderly people died from causes attributable to the direct responsibility of the State, one as a prisoner for not receiving timely medical care, and another due to deficiencies in public services.

• Firearm: 7 elderly people were killed by gunshots; two of them were women.

• Mechanical asphyxiation: 2 elderly people died from strangulation or suffocation during robberies.

The NGO’s data states that 27.2% of the victims were women, while 72.8% were men.

Image: Convite (@conviteac)

Convite noted that the median age of elderly people who died violently in Venezuela during the first half of 2024 was 69 years. The study highlights that 54% of these victims were between 60 and 70 years old.

Who were the perpetrators?

He pointed out that in 19 of the violent deaths of elderly people, the perpetrators had some kind of connection, relationship or direct kinship with the victims. Of the total number of identified perpetrators, 42% were neighbors, friends or acquaintances of the victim.

She also noted that 15.8% of the aggressors were children, grandchildren or other relatives of the victims, and another 15.8% were partners or ex-partners.

#OldAgeAtRisk Annual Report on Victimization of Older Persons “Old Age at Risk 2024”: Almost every day during the first half of 2024 an older adult died violently in Venezuela https://t.co/k7AlkEBizr

— AC Invitation (@conviteac) August 28, 2024

Entities with the highest incidence

The NGO points out that The cases were distributed across 20 entities in Venezuela, in addition to the Metropolitan Area of ​​Caracas. 43% of these deaths were concentrated in three states: Aragua (18.5%), Carabobo (13.5%) and Zulia (11.1%).

Image: Convite (@conviteac)

The Convite report also highlights: «The month of June was the month that recorded the highest number of violent deaths of older people (37), followed by the month of May with 30. The months with the fewest deaths were January and February with 24 violent deaths and March with 21.