Organized groups, known as the Resistencia (Resistance), perform confrontational acts against Venezuelan authorities.
The Resistencia members state that they defend other protesters from approaching violent authorities while the Maduro government characterizes them as "right-wing, drug-crazed terrorists".
Former Venezuelan authorities are members of the Resistencia, teaching them riot formations and other government methods.
The groups deny attacks on government buildings.

Some Resistencia groups are organized in this fashion:
Escuderos, or those who wield shields to protect from bullets and tear gas canisters
Devolvederos, "returners" of tear gas, those who own gas masks
Molotov cocktail armed members, to prevent the approachment of armored vehicles
Radio observers, communicate government positions and escape plans
Organized groups, known as the Resistencia (Resistance), perform confrontational acts against Venezuelan authorities. The Resistencia members state that they defend other protesters from approaching violent authorities while the Maduro government characterizes them as "right-wing, drug-crazed terrorists". Former Venezuelan authorities are members of the Resistencia, teaching them riot formations and other government methods. The groups deny attacks on government buildings.
Some Resistencia groups are organized in this fashion:
Escuderos, or those who wield shields to protect from bullets and tear gas canisters
Devolvederos, "returners" of tear gas, those who own gas masks
Molotov cocktail armed members, to prevent the approachment of armored vehicles
Radio observers, communicate government positions and escape plans
2017 Venezuelan protests