Jesus Torrealba, the leader of the Mesa de la Unidad Democratica – spoke to supporters today, and called for a nation-wide demonstration for October 18.
Torrealba made a dire prediction for the future of the country, saying that PSUV leadership was planting the seeds of the country’s eventual doom. Torrealba said:
We know when violence starts, but not when it ends. It bites and it spreads. They [the government] are sitting on top of a country full of gunpowder, smoking… in Venezuela, the elements of an eventual economic, political and social disaster are being produced.
He also accused the government of bearing responsibility for the violence gripping the country due to the “irresponsible” way in which it is handling it. Torrealba then refereed to the cases of political prosecution involving Leopoldo Lopez, Enzo Scarano, Daniel Ceballos and others.
In Caracas, the march on October 18 will set off from Los Corjitos and end in Petare, where “a great assembly” will take place.
Sharp Decline in Number of Airplane Seats
The Asociacion de Lineas Aereas de Venezuela [Venezuelan Association of Airlines] (ALAV) released figures today showing a weekly decline in seats on airplanes of 17,145 since 2013. The decline is due to a number of airlines cancelling flights to and from the country, stemming from a multi-billion dollar debt owed by the Venezuelan government.
Air Canada was one of the first airlines to cut services to the country, back in March of this year. In 2013, Air Canada provided 600 seats per week aboard its flights; today, that number is 0, since the airline no longer services the country. Similarly, Delta Airlines – which offered 1,274 weekly seats in 2013 – now offers only 160 seats.
Trip To Supermarket 92.9% More Expensive Now Than Last Year
Venezuelans are paying an average of 92.9% more for their basic food basket than they were at this time last year, according to the Centro de Documentacion y Analysis Social de la Federacion Venezolana de Maestros [Centre for Documentation and Analysis of the Venezuelan Teacher’s Federation].
In August, the total amount of money needed to buy a basic food basket – a combination of basic foods and necessities – climbed to Bs. 24,541.83. The same report points out that in order to be able to afford the basket, the average Venezuelan needs to work 5.8 jobs making minimum wage.
RUMOUR: Victor Ugas Arrested
A man by the name of Victor Ugas has apparently been arrested by SEBIN officers. Earlier this week, a Twitter account belonging to someone named Victor Ugas released two pictures allegedly showing the body of Robert Serra inside the Bello Monte Morgue.
Whoever posted the pictures made it clear that they were not Victor Ugas, and that they had hacked a seemingly random account for the purposes of releasing the pictures.
In Venezuela 