SANN News
Thousands of supporters of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a deadly US military operation, have reportedly demonstrated in Caracas demanding his release. Protesters chanted, “Venezuela needs Nicolas,” and said he was ousted and taken to New York to face drug charges.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez is battling a political crisis while Washington is seeking support from Maduro’s allies in her government and the Venezuelan people. The protesters, many of whom were public sector workers, carried pictures of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The march and protest, called by the government, stretched for hundreds of meters.
The protesters waved Venezuelan flags and wore red vests named after Maduro’s socialist predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Rodriguez, a staunch supporter of Maduro and a democrat, had previously served as his vice president. US President Donald Trump has said Rodriguez is willing to work with the US and is ready to give him access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Under pressure Rodriguez has begun to free political prisoners and open Venezuela’s hydrocarbon industry to private investment.
In a video released by the US mission on Tuesday, he outlined a three-phase plan for the crisis-ridden South American country to “transition to a friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela.” Freedom ‘on the streets’ – Earlier on Tuesday, hundreds of university students and relatives of political prisoners also demonstrated in the capital demanding the swift passage of a law that Rodriguez had promised.
Rodriguez said he was working “intensively” on the legislation needed for the release, saying it would allow him to implement national policies during a period of political violence and extremism. The opposition in Venezuela has been demanding new elections since Maduro was ousted.
