Homeless families have invaded 306 vacant lots, houses and buildings so far this year in Caracas, says the capital's city council vice-president Wilfredo Rodríguez. These takeovers have reached protected “green areas”, like the National El Avila Park, which separates Caracas from the Caribbean Sea, the Caricuao Zoo, the forest that surrounds the horse racing track, and the Botanical Garden.

Groups of as many as 80 families set up their precarious houses in a matter of hours. These one-room shacks are often made of cardboard, zinc panels, and plastic sheeting. When municipal authorities do take action, they usually negotiate with the squatters to convince them to move elsewhere.