Nts itself with soup kitchens
Capriles denies that outreach efforts resemble the same populism pushed by Maduro, and says that he is simply continuing the policies he implemented as governor of the central state of Miranda from 2008 to 2017.
“I am not the ‘disconnected politician,’” he said. “I never have been one, and I have never been isolated from the reality of the people I serve.”
But the opposition has found that making fiery speeches has been inefficient on its own to foster support among the Venezuelan electorate.
Opposition parties suffered bruising defeats in this year’s gubernatorial and mayoral elections, leaving members divided over how to move forward ahead of next year’s presidential race.
They have yet to rally behind a candidate to challenge Maduro, who is expected to seek a second six-year term.
Even so, some political analysts are skeptical the latest goodwill strategy is enough to change the status quo.
John Magdaleno, director of local consultancy POLITY, praised the initiatives as well-intended but said they fall short of overcoming a deeper crisis.
“Until the opposition’s political leadership can agree, the chances that we will begin a transition to democracy are minimal,” Magdaleno said.
Flores, the opposition politician and physician, said politicians are trying to pull people out of their “catatonic state” and urge them to reclaim their rights.
“There are solutions for building a better country,” he said. “All these grains of sand add up and help alleviate this misery, this need for food, for medicine, and give support.”
Royal Navy escorts Russian warship near UK waters
Britain’s Royal Navy has escorted one of Russia’s warships through the North Sea near U.K. waters, officials said Tuesday, amid increasing tensions between the two countries. The HMS St. Albans with 190 sailors on board was used to escort the Russian Admiral Gorshkov frigate on Monday through what British officials called “areas of national interest” on Christmas Day. In addition, a Royal Navy helicopter was used to track other Russian vessels in the area. The navy said there has been a recent surge in Russian vessels traveling near U.K. waters. Officials said that on Christmas Eve, a navy vessel was used to escort a Russian intelligence-gathering ship through the North Sea and English Channel. Defense Secretary Gavin William said Britain wouldn’t tolerate aggression. “Britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people and our national interests,” he said Tuesday. The incidents at sea follow a difficult visit to Moscow by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson just before Christmas. Johnson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov disagreed on a number of policy points, reflecting increasing tensions between Britain and Russia. British officials warned this month that Russian ships may cut undersea internet cables in a bid to disrupt communications and commerce.