A survey conducted by the Delphos polling firm has found that 60% of respondents would prefer a president who is not chavista. The same survey also found that only 16.2% of respondents would like Maduro to continue being president.
Below, some more findings from the same survey:
- 57.9% say that the Maduro government is to blame for the economic crisis.
- 61.1% say that the country’s economic crisis has gotten worse since Maduro launched his Programa de Recuperacion Economica [Economic Recovery Program] in late August.
Venezuela’s economy continues to experience a prolonged period of depression that is unprecedented in the region. Upon launch, the Maduro regime touted the Economic Recovery Program as “perfect”, and that it would guarantee the “well-being and happiness” of Venezuelans all over the country.
When asked how they think political change will come to Venezuela, 43.7% said that they believed it would come through elections, while 8.1% said that they believed it would come from foreign intervention.
Of those surveyed, 72.25% said that they want to see an electoral transition away from Maduro. An overwhelming majority of Venezuelans–66.9%–said that they would not agree with a foreign military intervention removing Maduro from power by force.
The survey was conducted between October 22 and November 2, and had a sample size of 1,2000 people.
Maduro Raises Minimum Monthly Salary
During a televised address this evening, Maduro announced that he was raising the minimum monthly salary to BsF. 4,500, up from the current BsF. 1,800. The 150% in what Venezuelans earn each months comes just barely over two months after the last increase, and is the sixth time that salaries have gone up this year.
Venezuelans will now take home approximately $11 every month, at the black market exchange rate.
Maduro said that what he is doing to the Venezuelan economy “is not in any manual”, and that he has “a top-tier team” of experts guiding his decisions.
During the same speech, Maduro attacked the United States for what he claims to be its incessant attacks against Venezuela. Maduro singled out President Trump, whom he claims is “persecuting the Venezuelan people” in the same that “Hitler did against the Jews”.
Bolsonaro, Bolton Talk Venezuela
U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton met Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro today, and the two discussed–among other topics–the ongoing Venezuela crisis.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Bolsonaro said:
We have to find solutions for Venezuela. We have to take measures.
Bolsonaro also stressed that his government would seek to find a “legal and peaceful” way to resolve the Venezuelan crisis. Referencing the two decades of dictatorship that Brazil endured from 1964 to 1985, Bolsonaro said that Brazilians “see their reflection” in the Maduro regime’s authoritarian grip on power.
It is not yet clear what Bolsonaro’s election to the presidency in Brazil will mean for regional response to the Venezuelan crisis. Bolsonaro’s unashamed fascism has manifested itself in praise for the military dictatorships that once ruled over Brazil, and the suggestion that police officers be given license to murder undesirables at will.
Below, a video of Bolsonaro greeting Bolton:
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In Venezuela 