Corina Hernández and her sister Elys have emerged as unlikely political folk heroes just as Venezuela is heading into its most competitive election in years.
FILE – In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela. A British judge on Thursday July 2, 2020, refused to give Venezuela control of over $1 billion in gold sitting in a Bank of England vault, ruling that it is unlawful to give it to the President Nicolas Maduro since Britain does not recognize him as the president.
Their case was shared widely on the internet, turning them into symbols of defiance for Venezuelans tired of the country’s authoritarian leaders. Some people have been detained for hours, they said in interviews, dragged in to a notorious detention center known as the Helicoide. Others have had equipment seized and businesses shuttered, stripping them of their livelihoods.
For the first time in years, the opposition is united around a single figure — Machado — who has widespread voter support. When Maduro’s government barred her from running, her coalition managed to get a surrogate on the ballot, a soft-spoken former diplomat named Edmundo González. The Hernández family has run Pancho Grill for 20 years, selling breakfasts of pulled beef, eggs, beans and corn cakes called arepas to those who can afford them.
But the opposition leader had barely left when the sisters received new visitors: two tax regulators and a national guardsman, who said they were temporarily shutting the business down. The video spread quickly online, and soon, outraged supporters were visiting the restaurant as if making a pilgrimage. Donations appeared at the door: spices to season empanada fillings, a 33-pound bag of corn flour. Then funds began rolling in from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and even as far as Germany.
After the 15-day closure, the sisters reopened the restaurant and paid a $350 fine with help from their new supporters, they said. Hernández said she had not voted since 2006, when she cast her ballot for Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor. Employees at one said that the establishment had lost significant money after it was forced to cancel First Communion celebrations slated for its two restaurants.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Unsuspecting Normandy High School graduate enjoying life as Secret Service special agentParma native Corina Pavel never expected to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Read more »
Celebrate Juneteenth at Opal's Walk for FreedomWalk and celebrate Juneteenth with Dr. Opal Lee, Unity Unlimited, Inc., NBC 5, and Telemundo 39, on Wednesday, June 19, at Opal’s Walk for Freedom. The…
Read more »
Montana Couple Says Pro-Transgender CPS ‘Illegally’ Took Daughter to Canada, ‘Ignored Religious Freedom’Source of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Colorado Freedom Memorial unveils plans to expandDetails have been released on a new $8 million Education and Visitor Center.
Read more »
Assault weapons bans are only justified if they outweigh the value of freedomWhen there is such a strong interest for individuals to be able to own guns, it’s not enough to simply point to a slight increase in safety, particularly in a society like ours where freedom is esp…
Read more »
Georgian PM, president criticize each other over media freedom law on Independence DayThe president and prime minister of Georgia have lashed out at each other at a ceremony marking the country’s independence day
Read more »