A murderous rampage against suspected looters in the state of Vargas following the 1999 mudslides became , according to Human Rights Watch , " the first major human rights test of the Chávez government . At first , Chávez dismissed the reports as ' suspicious ' and ' superficial , ' but the evidence soon obliged the president and other top government officials to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation . " Human Rights Watch expressed their deep concern over DISIP ( and National Guard ) abuse in Venezuela in a 2004 personal letter to President Hugo Chávez . Amnesty International has also expressed concern over excessive use of force by the DISIP , and the increasing polarization and political violence in Venezuela since Chávez was elected in December 1998
1999 mudslides
Vargas tragedy
National Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services