Génesis Cristina Carmona Tovar was a Venezuelan fashion model, beauty queen, and college student who was killed while protesting against the government of Venezuela during the 2014 Venezuelan protests. She later became a symbol of protest against the Nicolás Maduro government during the time of demonstrations in the country.
Génesis Carmona, Miss Turismo 2013 Carabobo, Venezuela
A memorial for a few of those killed during the 2014 Venezuelan protests, with Carmona among those pictured (top row, third from right)
In 2014, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil insurrection began in Venezuela due to the country's high levels of urban violence, inflation, and chronic shortages of basic goods attributed to economic policies such as strict price controls. Mass protesting began in earnest in February following the attempted rape of a student on a university campus in San Cristóbal. Subsequent arrests and killings of student protesters spurred their expansion to neighboring cities and the involvement of opposition leaders. The year's early months were characterized by large demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and government forces that resulted in nearly 4,000 arrests and 43 deaths, including both supporters and opponents of the government.
Image: 2014 Venezuelan Protests (12F)
Image: Tear gas used against protest in Altamira, Caracas; and distressed students in front of police line
Image: 2014 Venezuelan protests tear gas response
Late President Hugo Chávez in 2010.