“Why doesn’t the PSUV defend its criminals?”: Velásquez questions use of public funds for Maduro’s defense

Venezuelan opposition leader Andrés Velásquez has sharply criticized the possibility of Nicolás Maduro's government using public funds to finance his legal defense in U.S. courts. Velásquez, a prominent figure in the La Causa R party, questioned the government's priorities, asking why taxpayer money would be allocated to defend Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, when Venezuelan workers are struggling with low wages and high living costs.

“

Van a pagar con el dinero de todos los venezolanos, con lo que producen los trabajadores, con los impuestos que paga todo el pueblo venezolano, van a financiar la defensa de Maduro. Los trabajadores preguntan: ¿Por qué el PSUV no se encarga de la defensa de sus delincuentes? ¿Por qué no pagan ellos la defensa de Maduro y de Cilia? Que hagan una vaca entre toda esa banda de corruptos que bastante robaron. ¿Por qué tiene que ser el pueblo venezolano quien pague? Eso lo rechaza el pueblo entero.

"Why should the Venezuelan people pay?" Velásquez demanded during a press conference. He argued that the ruling party, PSUV, should be responsible for the legal expenses of its members if they are considered "delinquents." This stance highlights the deep economic divide and public discontent in Venezuela, where many citizens feel their resources are being misused while their basic needs go unmet.

“

250 dólares mínimo ahorita, porque nosotros no estamos locos ni pedimos 2.000 ni 1.500 dólares. Podemos tener comprensión de la situación, pero que no vengan con 50 o 20 dólares. Además, que conviertan los bonos en salario y den un aumento razonable. Bono no es salario.

Velásquez also used the opportunity to reiterate calls for fair wages, particularly ahead of International Workers' Day. He stressed the need for a significant salary increase, proposing a minimum wage of $250 and urging the government to convert existing bonuses into actual salary. He expressed skepticism about any potential salary announcements from the executive branch, anticipating they would be superficial and fail to address the dire economic conditions faced by workers and pensioners.

“

Estamos seguros de que va a ser un saludo a la bandera, una cosa superficial. Con lo cual los trabajadores van a continuar su lucha definitivamente, porque aquí está en juego la seguridad social, la dignidad de los pensionados. El trabajador que ha dado toda su vida para generar riqueza para el país no puede ser maltratado tan indignamente como lo es hoy.

Furthermore, the opposition leader touched upon the state of Venezuela's basic industries, attributing their decline to mismanagement and calling for structural changes and early presidential elections to bring about political change. From the perspective of the Venezuelan opposition, this situation exemplifies the current government's alleged corruption and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary citizens, who bear the brunt of economic hardship.

“

Ellos las quebraron y en manos de ellos no se van a recuperar. Por eso exigimos que con rapidez haya elección presidencial para el cambio político.