Caracas (EFE).- A strong presence of the Bolivarian National Police (CPNB) attempted to disperse hundreds of workers with pepper spray on Thursday as they tried to march toward the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas to demand a salary increase, frozen since 2022.
In their attempt to reach Miraflores, union members forced their way past police officers at least five times, starting from a central Caracas square and reaching a point near the Parliament’s headquarters, where another reinforced police blockade prevented them from continuing.
At this last point, the CPNB used pepper spray on protesters who remained waiting to reach the government headquarters.
The number of police officers increased due to the tension with the workers, and security forces kicked and struck protesters with helmets, shields, stones and bottles.
«They beat retirees, pensioners, and people who came to demand labor rights and their wages,» said José Patines, general secretary of the Foreign Ministry Workers’ Union.
Patines blamed Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello for the incident and spoke with the press.
The digital media outlet VPI TV reported that it had to stop its live broadcast of the march because its videographer was attacked.
According to local media reports, tear gas was deployed on Universidad Avenue in the center of Caracas.
Since their departure from Plaza Venezuela, the union members had to overcome several blockades, diverting their march through streets adjacent to the main roads when they faced CPNB blockades.
The aforementioned allowed them to reach Urdaneta Avenue, where the Miraflores Palace is located. However, they had to divert again to another street, where they encountered a reinforced CPNB picket.
Aurora, a member of the Union Coalition, told EFE that she was knocked to the ground and hit by the CPNB.
Hugo Bastardo said their protest is for a dignified salary, as workers feel humiliated and mistreated.
«We came in peace. We came to tell Delcy that we want a dignified and fair salary,» he added.
Since Mar. 2022, the minimum Venezuelan salary has remained at 130 bolivars per month, equivalent at that time to 30 dollars.
However, chronic inflation and devaluation have reduced its value to 27 cents, according to the Central Bank of Venezuela’s official exchange rate.
As of Wednesday, Rodríguez announced an upcoming «responsible» salary increase for May 1 without specifying the amount or conditions of the adjustment. EFE
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