International
Venezuela’s new law imposes harsh penalties for promoting foreign sanctions
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro described the law passed by the National Assembly on Thursday as “progressive.” The law imposes prison sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years for individuals who promote or are involved in any way with foreign sanctions imposed on the government and “authorities” of the state.
“It’s a progressive law, an advanced law, a law in defense of Venezuela, a law to end impunity. It was a necessary law,” said Maduro during a program broadcast by the state-owned Venezuelan Television (VTV).
Maduro emphasized that if the United States “tightens its grip” to “harm” the Caribbean nation, his government would respond by “doing good for the people, protecting the citizens, and strengthening the institutions.”
He also urged lawmakers to explain the law nationwide and announced plans to call for a “mass demonstration,” without specifying a date, to sign the legislative text and have it published in the Official Gazette.
The National Assembly (AN), controlled by the ruling chavismo, approved the ‘Libertador Simón Bolívar Organic Law Against Imperialist Blockade and in Defense of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.’ The law also imposes fines of up to one million euros (around $1,055,680) for those who promote or are involved in the foreign sanctions against the government.
The unanimously approved law includes political disqualification for up to 60 years for those convicted of these “crimes,” preventing them from running for public office or elective positions.
Moreover, individuals who “promote, instigate, request, invoke, favor, support, or participate in the adoption or execution” of “armed actions or force, as well as cyberattacks” against the country, its institutions, or authorities, many of whom are sanctioned by other countries, will face legal consequences.
Media outlets that broadcast any messages promoting sanctions or measures that “harm the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” will also face fines and could be removed from circulation or the radio spectrum, depending on the platform.
International
María Corina Machado kidnapped and forced to record videos before being released, says opposition
The Venezuela Command, the campaign team of opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, denounced the “kidnapping” and subsequent release of political leader María Corina Machado after she led a protest in Caracas on the eve of the Venezuelan presidential inauguration.
In a post on X, the opposition team stated that the former lawmaker was “intercepted and knocked off the motorcycle she was traveling on” after leading a rally in the Chacao area of the Venezuelan capital.
“Gunshots were fired during the incident. She was forcibly detained. During her kidnapping, she was forced to record several videos, and then she was released,” the statement added, which was made public nearly two hours after Machado’s party, Vente Venezuela, reported that she had been “violently intercepted.”
International
Governor Jenniffer González expresses solidarity with Venezuela’s struggling opposition
Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González expressed her sorrow over Venezuela’s political crisis on Thursday and voiced her support for Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, just one day before President Nicolás Maduro is set to take office following the controversial July elections.
“I think it is sad that the Venezuelan people have to suffer the consequences of a dictator who came to power by deceiving the people. I recognize Edmundo González for his leadership,” the governor stated during a press conference, coinciding with a day of protests by Venezuela’s opposition.
“The Venezuelan community has my full support, and, as we have done in the past, we will maintain that line of communication with whatever we can collaborate on,” assured the Puerto Rican head of government.
González Urrutia is currently in the Dominican Republic, the last announced stop on his American tour, where he was accompanied by Dominican President Luis Abinader and former Latin American presidents from the Spain and Americas Democratic Initiative (Grupo Idea).
International
Hundreds of venezuelan protesters demand ‘democratic change’ in Rome
Dozens of Venezuelans demonstrated in central Rome on Thursday to show their support for opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia and demand a “democratic change,” on the eve of the presidential inauguration that has deeply divided the country.
The protest took place in the Roman square of Largo Argentina and gathered several members of the Venezuelan diaspora and refugees, who sang their national anthem and displayed signs with the slogan “Glory to the brave people.”
Around 150 participants were present, according to one of the coordinators of the protest, Celeste Puerta from the ‘Aiuto Venezuela’ Civic Movement, who spoke to EFE.
Similar actions have been organized in other Italian cities, including Bologna, Florence, and Milan in the north.
María Corina Machado kidnapped and forced to record videos before being released, says opposition
Governor Jenniffer González expresses solidarity with Venezuela’s struggling opposition
Hundreds of venezuelan protesters demand ‘democratic change’ in Rome
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