A wave of concern and uncertainty hits the educational sector in the state of Barinas after registering two new cases of mass poisoning in educational institutions this week. In a period of less than 24 hours, a total of 65 peoplemostly students, were affected at the Liceo Bolivariano 25 de Mayo and the Liceo Alberto Arvelo Torrealba.
These incidents, according to the Cocuyo Effect, raise five the similar episodes reported in the entity’s schools during the 2025 school year, setting off alarms in the community and authorities.
First incident: Monday, November 17
The first event occurred on Monday November 17 in it Bolivarian High School May 25located in the Barinas municipality. Around 9:30 am, 33 students and 4 teachers They began to experience shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, and fainting.
All those affected were rushed to the hospital. Dr. Luis Razetti Hospital from Barinas, where they received timely medical attention and were discharged hours later.
Pattern repeat: Tuesday, November 18
History repeated itself the next day, Tuesday November 18in it Alberto Arvelo Torrealba High Schoollocated in the José Antonio Páez urbanization. In this center, at least 28 students They presented similar symptoms after inhaling a strong-smelling substance. The young people were treated at the León Fortoul Saavedra outpatient clinic, in the Los Pozones sector.
Ongoing investigation
In both events, the authorities deployed commissions from the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), Firefighters and Civil Protection, as well as intelligence officials, to collect evidence and determine the nature of the chemical agent responsible.
Although the substance has not been officially identifiedwitnesses cited by the regional press agree in the perception of a “strange smell” minutes before the discomfort began. So far, authorities have not issued an official statement on the findings of the investigation.
These recent cases are added to the three episodes of poisoning previously recorded in the region: two at the Liceo Colinas del Llano (Ciudad Varyná) and one at the Liceo Mi Jardín. The recurrence of these events has generated great concern in the state of Barinas.
