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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Economy & Trade

Ecarri after dismissal from U.S. Friendship Group: 'They won't silence me, Venezuela needs to debate dollarization'

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Venezuelan National Assembly deputy Antonio Ecarri was removed from his leadership role in the Venezuela-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group.
  • Ecarri maintains that his removal stems from his advocacy for formal dollarization in Venezuela to combat currency devaluation.
  • He argues that while the country is dollarized for transactions, salaries are paid in devalued bolivars, creating economic disparity.

Antonio Ecarri, a deputy in Venezuela's National Assembly, has defended his push for formal dollarization following his removal from the presidency of the Venezuela-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group. Ecarri asserted that an investigation into his actions will not silence him from proposing solutions to Venezuela's currency deterioration.

They will not silence me: Venezuela needs to debate dollarization.

— Antonio EcarriAsserting his right to discuss dollarization despite his removal.

"They will not silence me: Venezuela needs to debate dollarization," Ecarri stated in a video shared on social media. He believes he is being investigated for seeking solutions to prevent Venezuelans from losing economic power. Ecarri pointed out that many transactions already reference foreign currencies, citing examples like apartments and vehicles being sold in dollars, and supermarkets pricing goods based on foreign exchange rates.

He contrasted this with the salaries received by many citizens. "The teacher, the nurse, the police officer, and the pensioner are paid in devalued bolivars. Venezuela is dollarized to charge citizens, but not to pay them," Ecarri said.

The teacher, the nurse, the police officer, and the pensioner are paid in devalued bolivars. Venezuela is dollarized to charge citizens, but not to pay them.

— Antonio EcarriHighlighting the economic disparity caused by currency issues.

Ecarri confirmed he is collaborating with economist Steve Hanke on a formal dollarization proposal aimed at protecting salaries and restoring economic stability. "I did not come to the National Assembly to remain silent or to applaud like a seal. I came to defend the pockets of Venezuelan families," the deputy declared.

I did not come to the National Assembly to remain silent or to applaud like a seal. I came to defend the pockets of Venezuelan families.

— Antonio EcarriStating his commitment to his constituents' economic well-being.

The statement follows his dismissal by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, who cited Ecarri's "irresponsible actions" that allegedly violated legal frameworks and the interests of the Republic. Rodríguez stated Ecarri infringed upon parliamentary rules governing interparliamentary diplomacy.

Your actions have been irresponsible and have violated the legal order that we are obliged to defend.

— Jorge RodríguezExplaining Ecarri's dismissal from the parliamentary group.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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