Thousands protest US sanctions, seizures of Venezuelan assets

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Thousands protest US sanctions, seizures of Venezuelan assets

CARACAS Thousands of Venezuelans marched through the streets of the capital Caracas on Tuesday to protest US-led sanctions and illegal seizures of the nation's financial and non-financial assets.

We do not agree with them continuing to take away what we have achieved through so much struggle.

The transportation minister and president of state-owned airline Conviasa, Ramon Velasquez AraguayanVelasquez Araguayan, told the publicly-owned Venezolana de Television that around 10,000 protesters took part in the demonstration called by the government to press for the recovery of the assets.

He said that they will continue to mobilize until all seized assets are returned and that they are going to march to the National Assembly Congress to offer a forceful demonstration by the Venezuelan people.

A plane belonging to Venezuelan company Emtrasur that was illegally impounded in Argentina due to an order issued by a US judge, said Velasquez, adding that the aircraft must be returned.

Venezuelan accounts at international banks have also been seized, he said.

Protester Irma Gomez told Venezolana de Television that as workers, we ask the US government to give us back what is ours. We do not agree with them continuing to take away from us what we have achieved through so much struggle. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter: Venezuela marches today to defend and recover illegally held national assets. ALSO READ: Venezuela confirms the US decision to ease oil sanctions.

The president said on Monday that the march would be the beginning of a great campaign to recover the nation's assets.