Police Put End to "Gavilanes" At Immigration
Authorities say they have finally had enough, so early this morning the Policía de Tránsito, Fuerza Pública, Policía Municipal and the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) - the child welfare agency - the swooped in on the "gavilanes" at immigration.

The immigration service has been plagued for some time with long lines and slow service. Some months back it decided it would handle only 500 persons a day, the first 500 who made it to the centre located in La Uruca.

For months, "gavilanes" as they are known, have been camping out in front of the immigration gates, selling places to the highest bidders. Many, coming great distances to obtain service, found the price too high and no space for them as early as the small hours of the morning.

The situation has been the source of many complaints to immigration and the police, who finally decided enough is enough, and in an organized action, confiscated more than 50 chairs used by the gavilanes, tents and other outdoor gear to keep warm while taking up a place in line to be sold later in the morning.