Venezuela protests: Elderly clash with police in opposition march

[EX500rider]

Source: BBC



Thousands of elderly Venezuelans have taken to the streets of Caracas and other cities to protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro amid a worsening economic crisis.

Police blocked access to a main road in the capital and used pepper spray to try to control the crowd.
Protesters threw punches and demanded respect from police.

Venezuela is facing a shortage of many basic items, including medicines and medical equipment.
Many feel that elderly people have been particularly affected by the crisis in the health system.

One elderly man summed up their grievances: "The government is killing us in three ways. We're dying of lack of food, we're dying of lack of medication and they're killing us at the protests."
Another woman held up a sign reading: "Today I'm turning 60 and for the first time I don't have enough for a cake."
Florentino Montilba, 75, said he was taking to the streets because "this is the last option they've left us with".
"If need be, we'll die here on the streets," he said.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39903878

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So sad what is happening in a country that ought to be prosperous if not for their government's intervention, causing currency shortages to buy imports and a failing infrastructure.

[NobodyHere]

1. The CIA must be getting desperate...

They're recruiting the elderly now and not just students.

[COLGATE4]

2. You forgot to add the 'sarcasm' thingy...

[Archae]

3. Message deleted by DU the Administrators

[secondwind]

4. Chavez's daughters still live in the Presidential Mansion... they throw parties every night, the

champagne is always flowing, and there is plenty to eat.

It is god-awful what they are doing to this country. I met an older woman last year in Lima airport, I was flying back home after two weeks in Peru [amazing country], and she had been visiting her sister in Lima.. She lives in Venezuela. She said she saved for years to make that trip, and her suitcase was filled with things like soap, etc. Even soap is scarce there.

She works for the government cleaning bathrooms in a hotel.. She is paid $5 a week