Versión Español
EspañolAfter a massive protest in Caracas, at least 4,500 Venezuelans took to the streets in Madrid to support the recall referendum that could remove Nicolás Maduro from office.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), organized the march in Venezuela September 1 where an unofficial count had 1.5 million people participating.
- Read more: Despite Government Obstacles, Over a Million Venezuelans March on Caracas
- Read more: Venezuelan Regime Prevents Buses from Reaching Caracas for Opposition March
Lora Monroy is a Venezuelan who has been living in the Spanish capital for 13 years and reportedly said during the march, “There’s no drugs, no food, the elderly have to get up at dawn to wait in line.”
The march held in Madrid was supported by three of the four main parties in the country: the Popular Party, the PSOE and the Citizens Party; however, the leftist Chavista Podemos Party hasn’t commented on the matter.
Popular Party Secretary of International Relations José Ramón García Hernández said Democrats like him are struggling to “defend the freedom of Venezuela.”
Deputy of the Liberal Group and Vice President of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament Beatríz Becerra said Venezuela’s continued harassment and imprisonment of its political opponents must end.
“Shortages and deaths from lack of health care also continue to grow,” said Becerra.
The European Union is reportedly demanding that Maduro respect constitutional mandates, including the recall referendum.
Spokeswoman for Help Venezuela Eva Sanchez accused Maduro of “doing what he wants” and of rejecting humanitarian aid.
In Barcelona and the Canary Islands, the voices of protesters were also heard. Approximately 500 people gathered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Gran Canaria with the purpose of the recall and demand the release of political prisoners.
Venezuela, dependent on oil revenue, is suffering economically as a result of the collapse of oil prices.
Source: El Nuevo Herald y Prensa
