Venezuelan Moms Protest, Hunger Strike for Husbands

0:00It's April 24th. This is Canada News Today, local news powered by AI. In Venezuela, a group of wives and mothers turned a Caracas street into a 10th city protest after the U.S. military captured President Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd. These women, with no political background, demanded the release of their husbands accused of plotting bombs tied to opposition groups. Having President Delsey Rodriguez pledged to free political prisoners, but human rights watchdogs say over 400 still sit behind bars. The protests kicked off right after the government's vague promise to release detainees. Meliti Mendoza and Sandra Rosales, everyday moms from different cities, linked up with about 30 others. Mendoza sold crafts while her driver has been vanished in November. Rosales taught school, her intelligence worker spouse grabbed too. When either family backed the opposition, they even voted for the ruling party. The women chained up, chanted, prayed, and live streamed their fight for 37 straight

1:01days. On Valentine's Day, February 14th, 17 prisoners walked free into waiting arms, a partial win that stung without their men. Emotions ran high pride, mixed with heartbreak, as families reunited right outside the gates. They pushed harder with hunger strikes. Mendoza lasted five days before hospital, and scored visits where loved ones looked gaunt and colored uniforms. Hinting at opposition ties, pressure mounted, leading to 25 more releases around March 7. But their husbands got shipped to a tougher prison known for abuse and cram cells. By mid-March after 64 days, the camp folded, but the fight lingers. On April 5th, Easter, they bust in kids for emotional visits, packing snacks and cake. These moms vow to keep battling until every last one comes home, turning personal pain into a stand against the regime.