Tens of thousands took to the streets on Saturday, marching in cities across Venezuela, including Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia and Barquisimeto.
Mobilized by Leopoldo Lopez, a jailed Venezuelan politician who publicly opposes President Nicolas Maduro's government, the rally demanded the release of Lopez and other imprisoned foes of the President.
Lopez (above) is the leader of the Popular Will party and the former mayor of Chacao. He was arrested last year for organizing protests that called for better security, an end to food shortages, and freedom of speech. 43 people died during the protest including both government supporters and opponents, leading the government to arrest him on charges of “inciting violent antigovernment protests.”
Similarly, Daniel Ceballos, the former mayor of San Cristobal, was arrested last year for the same thing. Together, the two have been on hunger strike along with a slew of others. Lopez’s wife asked that others join in “a day of fasting in solidarity with political prisoners” explaining that the hunger strikes will continue until all political prisoners are released and the dates of the parliamentary elections are announced.
“"The regime is crumbling," she said. "We must prepare for the reconstruction of the country. We have taken to the streets, we will not abandon her."
According to the Wall Street Journal, “Government officials, including the head of the electoral board, have assured that legislative elections will take place this year, after October.
But opponents of the leftist government, which has grown increasingly unpopular as the economy worsens, are concerned that the vote will be canceled to keep the ruling party in control of the unicameral parliament.”
Considering what just happened in Burundi, I for one, hope that the Venezuelan will do the right thing and listen to its people. It’s unacceptable for a ruling party to abuse its power by silencing its opponents or postponing elections. It’s time for Maduro’s government to release its political prisoners and let the Venezuelan people choose for themselves who they want to lead their country.