Venezuelan leader marks Independence Day with message of ‘no social unrest’
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez once again defends her government’s handling of the deadly earthquakes on June 24. Venezuela has marked its 215th Independence Day as
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez once again defends her government’s handling of the deadly earthquakes on June 24. Venezuela has marked its 215th Independence Day as citizens continue to grapple with grief following a pair of deadly earthquakes on June 24. On Sunday, interim President Delcy Rodriguez sought to project strength during a military service in honour of the annual holiday. “There will be no social unrest here,” Rodriguez said. “What we have here is deep social solidarity.” But Rodriguez’s government has faced backlash since the twin earthquakes struck, hitting Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, respectively. On Sunday, Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information announced that it had recorded 3,342 deaths as a result of the earthquakes, with more expected. Thousands of people remain missing. In addition, some 16,470 people are injured, while 17,345 have been left without homes. The powerful seismic activity levelled buildings along Venezuela’s northern coastline, damaging regions like La Guaira and the Caracas metropolitan area. Critics have accused the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, which has led the country since 2007, of chronic mismanagement and corruption. That, they say, has left Venezuela incapable of handling a crisis of the current scale.
The June 24 earthquakes are the deadliest in a century for the country, and they represent the most catastrophic natural disaster Venezuela has weathered since the flash floods of 1999. After the earthquakes, residents reported that government aid was slow to reach the most affected areas. Some accused the government of impeding the flow of foreign assistance. In Sunday’s remarks, Rodriguez accused critics of seeking to stir “hatred” against the state. “Attempts are being made today to attack Venezuelan institutions,” Rodriguez said. “There can be no room for any kind of conspiracy, internal or external, from whatever source it may come.” The earthquakes are the first major disaster the Rodriguez government has had to contend with. Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president in January, after serving as vice president under then-President Nicolas Maduro. But on January 3, the United States launched a military operation to abduct and imprison Maduro on drug- and weapons-related charges. He is currently facing trial in New York. Since taking power, Rodriguez has sought to work within the demands of US President Donald Trump. Her government has overseen reforms, for example, to its nationalised mining and fuel industries allowing more foreign investment.
The BriefWire