On Feb. 27, 1989, Venezuelans rose up in spontaneous protests against catastrophic free-market policies. The uprising, known as the Caracazo, was brought on by soaring poverty and the collapse of living standards. Driven by hunger and need, people targeted supermarkets and convenience stores to obtain the food they could not afford.

The government responded with brutality. The constitution was suspended. Some estimates put the death toll of the government's massacre at as high as 3,000. Often described as the first rebellion against neoliberalism, the Caracazo changed history, pushing Venezuela towards progressive change.

Now, a new right-wing threat has arisen in Venezuela that is attempting to return the country to its free-market past.

teleSUR takes a look at some of the violent scenes of the Caracazo.