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'Not leaving the streets’ - Hundreds of believers pray for peace in Caracas, demand release of Maduro and wife

'Not leaving the streets’ - Hundreds of believers pray for peace in Caracas, demand release of Maduro and wife

"Hundreds of Christians gathered this Sunday in Plaza Bolivar in Caracas, in a religious prayer meeting for peace in Venezuela, after more than a week since the capture of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores by US forces. Footage from Sunday shows participants holding Venezuelan flags and white roses while praying for their country. The event brought together faithful from various evangelical Christian congregations who met to demand the release of Maduro and Flores, who are currently being held in a federal prison in New York. "Although our president (Nicolas Maduro) is kidnapped, if there is something that Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president, is guaranteeing us here, it is the peace of Venezuela, which is very important for us Venezuelans," said Chirlis Rincon, one of the participants. "We are going to continue in the streets until President Donald Trump sees fit to release President Nicolas Maduro. [That is] the challenge, we are not going to leave the streets, it is a pressure measure," said another attendee. Acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, has described the US operation as a ‘stain’ on bilateral relations, although she insisted that Venezuela ‘is not at war’ and will prioritise its sovereignty."

'Until it's in the Gazette, we believe nothing' - Bolivia roadblocks continue despite government repeal deal

'Until it's in the Gazette, we believe nothing' - Bolivia roadblocks continue despite government repeal deal

"Mining and coca-growing sector protesters blocked roads in Parotani, Cochabamba, on Saturday, vowing to maintain their mobilisation despite a government agreement to repeal Supreme Decree 5503 economic legislation. Footage shows demonstrators marching with Bolivian flags, crossing debris, and rallying at blockade points, chanting and holding signs demanding the immediate repeal of the ruling. "This blockade point will not be lifted until it is officially published in the Gazette. Until then, we believe nothing, not even the repeal," said Eduardo Ledezma, President of the blockade committee. Vilma Colque, President of the six federations of the tropics, questioned whether the government is receiving influence from the United States to impose its decisions. "This government wants to govern by imposing its will with interference from the American empire from abroad. We as Bolivians must be governed within the country and by someone who defends the social achievements that have been made, who respects the Political Constitution of the State," Colque stated. The demonstrations follow Sunday's agreement between the Bolivian government and the Bolivian Workers' Centre to abrogate Supreme Decree 5503, which unions say favoured private companies over workers' rights. Social movements, in turn, vowed to maintain blockades until the repeal is officially published in the Official Gazette. Although the Paz administration committed to promulgate the document to abrogate Decree 5503 within a maximum of 48 hours from today, it was agreed to preserve its core economic measures, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies, while tax incentives, fiscal regularisations, and public salary freezes announced by the government will be removed. "

'Until it's in the Gazette, we believe nothing' - Bolivia roadblocks continue despite government repeal deal

'Until it's in the Gazette, we believe nothing' - Bolivia roadblocks continue despite government repeal deal

"Mining and coca-growing sector protesters blocked roads in Parotani, Cochabamba, on Saturday, vowing to maintain their mobilisation despite a government agreement to repeal Supreme Decree 5503 economic legislation. Footage shows demonstrators marching with Bolivian flags, crossing debris, and rallying at blockade points, chanting and holding signs demanding the immediate repeal of the ruling. "This blockade point will not be lifted until it is officially published in the Gazette. Until then, we believe nothing, not even the repeal," said Eduardo Ledezma, President of the blockade committee. Vilma Colque, President of the six federations of the tropics, questioned whether the government is receiving influence from the United States to impose its decisions. "This government wants to govern by imposing its will with interference from the American empire from abroad. We as Bolivians must be governed within the country and by someone who defends the social achievements that have been made, who respects the Political Constitution of the State," Colque stated. The demonstrations follow Sunday's agreement between the Bolivian government and the Bolivian Workers' Centre to abrogate Supreme Decree 5503, which unions say favoured private companies over workers' rights. Social movements, in turn, vowed to maintain blockades until the repeal is officially published in the Official Gazette. Although the Paz administration committed to promulgate the document to abrogate Decree 5503 within a maximum of 48 hours from today, it was agreed to preserve its core economic measures, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies, while tax incentives, fiscal regularisations, and public salary freezes announced by the government will be removed. "