(22 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela – 22 May 2024
1. Portraits of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi placed on desk at embassy where people left messages on condolences book
2. Various of Sara Bruzon, 48, art professor, signing condolences book
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sara Bruzon, 48, art professor:
"I had the opportunity to meet the president when he was in Venezuela to sign agreements that would bring economic improvement to this country. I also know about all the progress he has made for the Republic of Cuba where the hope was maintained with these projects to have an improvement for the Cuban people. My soul is in great pain, I am very sad. Only God can heal hearts. Salaam Aleykum (Arabic for "peace be with you")."
4. Various of a Venezuelan pro-government group known as "Colectivo La Piedrita" arriving at the embassy with roses
5. Various of members of La Piedrita placing red roses on desk
6. One of the leaders of La Piedrita signing condolences book
7. La Piedrita members greeting leader Valentin Santana as they walk out
8. Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela, Hojat Soltani, greeting members of "Colectivo La Piedrita"
9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Hojat Soltani, Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela:
"Truly, with the solidarity and support we have received, it reassures us and gives us more strength to move forward, knowing that the leaders are with us. As long as we remain loyal to the principles and thoughts of our leaders, both here in Venezuela and there in Iran, the people will continue to move forward."
10. Woman signing book
11. Portrait of Raisi
12. Man signing book
13. Various of Iranian flag waving at half-mast
STORYLINE:
The Iranian embassy in Venezuela opened its doors on Wednesday for people to pay homage and sign a condolences book after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other members of his cabinet died in a helicopter crash days earlier.
Sara Bruzon, a Cuban Muslim woman who has lived in Venezuela for over 20 years, was among those who left a message in the book for Raisi.
"My soul is in great pain, I am very sad. Only God can heal hearts," Bruzon said.
A pro-government collective from ’23 de Enero’, a popular neighborhood in western Caracas, arrived at the embassy chanting slogans and leaving red roses on the desk beside the condolences book.
Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela Hojat Solatin thanked the group for their solidarity.
"As long as we remain loyal to the principles and thoughts of our leaders, both here in Venezuela and there in Iran, the people will continue to move forward," he said.
AP Video shot by Juan Arraez
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