Venezuelans in Barbados protest

VENEZUELANS LIVING IN Barbados today staged a peaceful demonstration outside their embassy, in Hastings, Christ Church, protesting against conditions in their country.
About 20 Venezuelans, including some who have been living and working in Barbados for more than 20 years, took part in the exercise.
Spokesman for the group,  Jose Enrique Zerpa, said they were protesting against factors including alleged police and army repression; violence leading to several deaths every week; the high rate of inflation; the shortage of basic supplies including toilet paper, cooking oil and soap, as well as the continuing disappearance of people viewed as opposed to the Government.
He said the group was also worried about what he called a news blackout in Venezuela and the limited information on the Venezuelan situation appearing in local and regional papers.
Some of the protestors complained about Cuba’s meddling in military and other affairs in Venezuela – allegedly with the blessings of the president Nicolas Maduro.
Meantime, anti-government demonstrations have grown in intensity over the past two weeks. They are partially a response to an economic crisis in the oil-rich country. (TY)