Venezuelan trade unions will start street protests to reject a prison sentence of 7 years and six months imposed on Rubén González, a union leader of state run iron ore producer Ferrominera del Orinoco.

Mr Juan Crespo president of Trade union Federation of Flour Workers (Fetraharina) and coordinator of the Autonomous Front to Defend Jobs and Unions said that "I think that they will have to put in jail half of the Venezuelan people. The problems were not created by the union leaders; the problems are created by public and private employers.”

Among the demonstrations organized by Fades are the marches to be held on March 19 and 26 in Valencia and Puerto Ordaz, respectively, and a visit to the Attorney General's Office on Wednesday in Caracas.

Mr Víctor Márquez president of the Association of Central University of Venezuela Professors and member of Fades said that "The decision taken on Monday (by the judge) is unacceptable. Therefore, a group of unions are organizing nationwide protests in order to obtain the release of our fellow union member Rubén González.”

(Sourced from EL UNIVERSAL)