President Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela accuses telenovelas of glorifying guns, drugs and violence to young viewers. According to USA Today, he also accuses telenovelas of spreading "anti-values" and blames the TV soap operas for Venezuela's elevated crime rates.  Vice President Jorge Arreaza, met with broadcast and TV operators on Monday night to review primetime lineups and warned that they could be in violation of a 2004 law mandating "socially responsible" programming. 

Analysts say restricting programming will not reduce crime. Briceno Leon, whose independent research group tracks crime rates in Venezuela, blames the country's increasing violence on the diffusion of illegal firearms, between 9 million and 15 million and lack of punishment for those break the law. His group estimates more than 24,000  homicides last year. 

According to USA Today, the government disputes the findings and has blocked access to official crime statistics in recent years. 

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