Deputy Henrique Capriles, of the Libertad Parliamentary Group, proposed raising the minimum wage and pensions in Venezuela to at least $150 per month, based on estimated oil revenues for this year.
During a press conference held this Wednesday, Capriles pointed out that Venezuela could receive close to 32 billion dollars in oil in 2026, which – in his opinion – allows for a significant salary adjustment.
“This year’s income from oil could be close to $32 billion. On this basis we reiterate that the salary has to be adjusted to a minimum of $150 dollars per month,” he stated.
The former governor of Miranda went further and warned that if the salary announcement expected for this Friday, May 1, is only 20 or 30 dollars, it would be “a mockery of the country, the workers, the Venezuelan family and the country.”
Capriles also criticized the government’s priorities when referring to the concert announced by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, with international artists such as Nicky Jam.
“It seems as if it were a joke, that this ends in a concert with international artists (…) I have nothing against Nicky Jam, but those are the priorities at this moment in the country,” he expressed.
The opposition leader also questioned how long the minimum wage has been without being increased in a real way and asked directly what will happen this May 1, since “everyone is waiting.”
Likewise, he emphasized that the IGTF, which makes foreign currency payments more expensive, must be eliminated. Delcy Rodríguez could eliminate it tomorrow, that’s good; In addition, lower the VAT by two points, which is at 16%. Because they don’t raise salaries or pensions, but they also continue to take money out of Venezuelans’ pockets. They must allow oxygen to exist. If the country is suffocated, how does the economy grow? Both things cannot be true,” he said.
He also said he disagreed with the Venezuelan State paying the fees of the lawyers defending Nicolás Maduro in his trial in New York.
“They have the resources to pay them,” he said.
