The Venezulan gov simply co-opted the gangs and now uses them as hit squads, anti-protest 'police', surveillance/intelligence agents in local communities, etc.

The Venezulan gov simply co-opted the gangs and now uses them as hit squads, anti-protest 'police', surveillance/intelligence agents in local communities, etc. Also whenever there are elections each member is required to go around the slums and force a bunch of people to vote for Maduro so he stays in power and keeps paying them $$. > Every member of a colectivo is required to bring ten individuals to vote at polls during elections https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colectivo_(Venezuela) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colectivo_(Venezuela)