'Defending Venezuelan Youth' is Crucial, Says Constituent Assembly President

Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly, ANC, has begun discussing its youth wing, where the proposals of young people will be complied for the new constitution.

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The talks began with the scheduling of debates to take place in universities and communities throughout the country during September.

The ANC President Delcy Rodriguez, said that earlier this year, Venezuelan youth had became the victims of "a macabre plan designed with an imperial seal", referring to the violent opposition protests that have taken place since April. Many youth had been co-opted into taking part, she explained.

She had also stressed that young people should be prevented from “getting lost in the violence” and that that they can be given “possibilities of the future through love”, adding that “defending Venezuelan youth” is imperative.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Pedro Infante, said that the proposals from the youth will be delivered to the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on October 1.

Over eight million people voted in the ANC elections in July — marking a turnout of over 41 percent, according to electoral authorities — in a vote that has been described as transparent, with international electoral experts and observers calling for the results to be respected.

In the last month, the ANC has begun discussing new anti-hate legislation — that will work to combat crimes involving religion, race, political beliefs, gender and sexuality.

Earlier this week, the constituents also voted unanimously for a decree opposing the latest U.S. economic sanctions against the country.