Bumped and Updated @2:00pm (USA/EST) Massive protests today in Caracus, Merida and all around Venezuela.
Protesta indescriptible en Caracas. pic.twitter.com/qHyBV8Dcwm
— CastoOcando.com (@cocando) February 22, 2014
Protesters fill the streets of Merida, #Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/SSuJgNjR6W via @machixblue
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) February 22, 2014
RT @mrgarciafrank #BreakingNews More than 1 million people manifest in Caracas Venezuela against dictatorship Maduro http://t.co/pAwEGlljzi
— SaloumehZ (@SaloumehZ) February 22, 2014
Caracas La California a las 11:30am del #22F pic.twitter.com/btOXI14n00 #SOSVenezuela
— Juan Carlos Finol (@jcfinolb) February 22, 2014
Facing the reality of collapsing socialism in Venezuela, and a citizenry aghast at images of their government opening fire on unarmed protesters, Maduro reaches out to President Obama for help….
Perhaps Dennis Rodman, Danny Glover and Sean Penn can put a group of sympathetic U.S. socialists together to form a diplomatic contingent.
(BBC News) Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has invited US President Barack Obama to join him in talks aimed at resolving the problems between the two countries.
Mr Maduro said the meeting would help “put the truth out on the table”. He has accused US conservatives and media organisations of plotting to overthrow his government.
Earlier on Friday Venezuela revoked the accreditations of CNN reporters covering the country’s crisis. Eight people have died in recent protests.
In a news conference on Friday, Mr Maduro said: “I call for a dialogue between Venezuela and the United States and its government. “Let’s initiate a high-level dialogue and let’s put the truth out on the table.” (read more)
VENEZUELA – Family members and friends of 22-year-old Genesis Carmona say the former Miss Tourism 2013 for the central Venezuelan state of Carabobo was gunned down by members of the armed militias known as ‘colectivos’ who opened fire on a demonstration in Valencia Tuesday.
The government says the incident is under investigation but has suggested she may have been shot by an opposition protester – a suggestion that drew scorn at the private Mass and graveside memorial attended by several hundred people.
[…] Her uncle said she was drawn to the rally by the dismal economic conditions that the oil-rich country has experienced after 15 years of socialism-inspired policies and that her mother had gone with her to protect her.
‘There’s no food, no milk, no baby food … It is horrible what is happening in this country,’ Gil said. ‘That’s why she was out at the protest.’
Carmona is one of at least six people who have been killed during political protests roiling this South American country since massive opposition rallies on February 12 ended with three deaths in the capital, including one government supporter.
With even President Nicolas Maduro lamenting the tragedy during a speech on national TV, the young woman’s death has resonated with the public in part because she was a pageant winner in a country that has long prized its production of more Miss Universe winners than any other nation. (read more)
