27 February 2019•Update: 27 February 2019
By Bilal Acar
ANKARA
Representatives from various Turkish trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) visited the Venezuelan Embassy in capital Ankara on Wednesday.
The group consisting of members from the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TURK-IS), HAK-IS Trade Union Confederation (HAK-IS), Confederation of Public Servants Trade Union (MEMUR-SEN), Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) and Freedom of Belief Platform members expressed support for the Venezuelan people and President Nicolas Maduro.
"We support the fight for the freedom of the Venezuelan people and the Maduro government," IHH Ankara spokesman Mustafa Sinan told reporters on the steps of Caracas's mission.
He called on all NGOs in the world to "protect the oppressed people in Venezuela together."
The group later met with Venezuelan Ambassador Jose Gregorio Bracho Reyes.
Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Tensions escalated when Juan Guaido, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.
Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China, and Bolivia put their weight behind Maduro, who has vowed to cut all diplomatic and political ties with the U.S.
