This Saturday, Chavismo led a national letter-writing campaign in Venezuela demanding the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were captured by the United States on January 3rd in Caracas. The operation included simultaneous actions at various points in the capital and neighboring states. "Today we are writing letters to our president, who is being held hostage in New York, with the conviction that he will soon be with us," EFE was told by Wilkar Vallenilla, one of the attendees. In turn, Kervin Montemayor, a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), expressed his support for Maduro and Flores, urging them to "resist" from the United States, as he claimed the Venezuelan people do. "Soon they will be here with us. We will continue in revolution. Strength, Nicolás; strength, Cilia," stated Montemayor, who assured that the letters would be sent to the United States and "the world." The leader also rejected the accusations against Nicolás Maduro, who is currently being tried in the United States for alleged drug crimes, stating that it is a political process. Since the Venezuelan president's capture, Chavismo has intensified demonstrations and protest acts to demand his release and reiterated that it will not cease until his return to the country is achieved. The protesters also reaffirmed their support for Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, a position she assumed on January 5th after being summoned by the Supreme Court of Justice. According to the state channel Venezolana de Televisión, the letter collection took place in several states, including Trujillo, Aragua, Anzoátegui, and Sucre.
