Although she promised to announce “forceful changes” for the country, the governor in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, in her speech on national television this Wednesday night only advanced some measures that she will implement in the coming weeks, which will depend largely on whether the United States lifts the majority of economic sanctions that weigh on the country.
Regarding the expected announcement of salary increases for Venezuelan workers, especially those in the public sector, he only expressed that he will decree it on May 1, without giving details of it.
“It will be a responsible salary increase with real financing,” said the president, who was accompanied by part of her ministerial train and flanked by the president of the National Assembly, her brother Jorge Rodríguez, and the head of the Interior and Justice portfolio, Diosdado Cabello.
With a tone that sought to be conciliatory, Rodríguez called for national unity, rejected international sanctions and prioritized economic recovery, dialogue and the future of young people and pensioners.
Main announcements:
- Dialogue and reconciliation: A national dialogue commission will be established with the participation of the State, the private sector, workers and pensioners. He asked to abandon “radicalism” and “conflictivity” after the events of January 3.
- Economic and institutional reforms:
- Creation of a National Economic Council to design a new tax model.
- New State institutions: more agile, digital, transparent, efficient and professional.
- Fund to evaluate the strategic assets of the State (excluding hydrocarbons), with the participation of private parties and popular power.
- Economy and sanctions: He highlighted the need for the sanctions and blockade to end. He announced that the resources blocked abroad will be used to boost the production of hydrocarbons and mining to generate income that goes directly to salaries, workers and infrastructure (electricity, water, roads, schools and hospitals). He reiterated that there will be no privatization of PDVSA.
- Social protection and wages: Recognized that the current pension system is not sustainable. He called to rethink social protection for young people and older adults, with emphasis on health, food and recreation for pensioners.
- Call to young people: He invited Venezuelans inside and outside the country, especially young people, to return and participate in national reconstruction.
- He asked “to correct the mistakes of the past and not repeat them.”
- In political matters, he called for a great “national pilgrimage” against the blockade and sanctions. The mobilization will begin on April 19 throughout the territory and will culminate in Caracas on May 1.
Rodríguez emphasized that the message arises from consultations with various sectors and represents “necessary truths” to guarantee a better future for new generations.
The speech was broadcast by VTV and other official channels, although it suffered interruptions due to electrical failures according to network reports.
