Venezuelans take to the streets: They demand free elections, the return of María Corina Machado and living wages
Chanting "María Corina, come back—we're waiting for you," citizens took to the streets in Caracas to demand the return of the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who remains in exile in Panama. The protesters also demanded that a date be set for new, free presidential elections.
Image of one of the demonstrations in Caracas
Hundreds of protesters gathered this Thursday in Caracas to demand the return of María Corina Machado, the calling of free presidential elections and improvements in workers' wages and pensions.
Chanting "María Corina, come back, we're waiting for you," citizens took to the streets in Caracas to demand the return of the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who remains in exile in Panama. The protesters also demanded that a date be set for new, free presidential elections.
The demand comes after the Vente Venezuela party confirmed to AFP that a new attempt by Machado to return to the country was thwarted on Tuesday, though it did not identify those responsible. The incident coincided with a meeting that interim President Delcy Rodríguez held with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
María Corina's return
Machado's return has become one of the main demands of this week's demonstrations. According to reports released by the leader's team, she has faced several failed attempts to return from Panama.
Machado left Venezuela and subsequently traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. After a brief stay in the United States, she settled in Panama City, from where she has been trying to return to her country.
Workers demand decent wages and pensions
Meanwhile, active workers, retirees and pensioners marched this Thursday in Caracas toward the Ministry of Labor headquarters to demand better wages, decent pensions and respect for collective bargaining agreements.
The march set out from Carabobo Park and proceeded toward Plaza Caracas. Along the route, officers from the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) set up a roadblock that initially blocked the protesters' path. The workers managed to get past the obstacle and continue on to the Ministry of Labor.
The labor unions demanded wage increases and criticized the fact that bonuses are not included in base pay. "A bonus is not a salary; we are demanding a fair and decent wage for all workers," stated Leyla Escobar, an executive of the Venezuelan Teachers' Federation, according to a report by Provea.
The unions also demanded recognition of collective bargaining agreements and denounced the decline in income for workers and retirees.
The day of protests comes as various political and social sectors continue to voice demands regarding the country's political future, the conditions for potential elections and the economic situation of workers.
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