Thousands in Barcelona back 'political transition' in Venezuela
Up to 10,000 people rally in Catalan capital in support of opposition leader declaring himself president in troubled South American country
While thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Venezuela in support of opposition leader Juan Guaidó declaring himself interim president of the South American country, a parallel protest was taking place in Barcelona.
On Wednesday evening, 10,000 people, according to the organizers, and 5,000 according to local police, took to the streets of the Catalan capital for a rally under the slogan "No dejen sola a Venezuela" (Don't leave Venezuela alone).
It was the biggest demonstration for this cause to ever take place in Barcelona, while at the same time similar protests were happening around the world in more that 200 cities, including Melbourne, Toronto, Hong Kong, Bogota, Berlin and Madrid.
Torra stresses "negotiation, dialogue and democracy"
Asked about the issue on Catalan radio, president Quim Torra said it is not acceptable for people to proclaim themselves presidents or to jail dissidents, and said the correct formula for such situations is "negotiation, dialogue, democracy and being in favor of all freedoms."
Soon after Guaidó made his declaration in Caracas, the United States was one of the first countries to recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate leader. A number of South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Peru, soon followed suit.
The events in Venezuela come amid large protests against president Nicolás Maduro who was sworn in for a second term earlier in the month, following an election that the opposition boycotted and that many critics claimed was rigged.
With hyperinflation, power outages, and severe shortages, Venezuela's economy has plummeted in recent years, with millions fleeing the country. Over a dozen people died in the recent protests, although Guaidó called for them to continue "until Venezuela is liberated."