Political and Economic Crisis in Venezuela Focus of Thurs., May 18 Press Club Newsmaker with Marcel Granier, CEO of Radio Caracas Television

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, May 18, at 10 a.m., the National Press Club will hold a Newsmaker news conference with the CEO of Venezuela's Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), Marcel Granier, in the club's Bloomberg Room.

Venezuela is in the midst of a political and economic crisis. Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela is experiencing hyperinflation and a deep recession. Prices rose by 800 percent in 2016, with the International Monetary Fund predicting inflation could hit 2,200 percent by the end of 2017. Over the past two months, hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets demonstrating against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela's President and his allies have tried to dissolve the national legislature and have expanded his powers by emergency decrees. The Associated Press reports that at least 40 people have died in the crackdown by security forces, with some 700 wounded. Protesters are now being tried in military rather than civilian courts according to a front-page story in Sunday's New York Times.

Since the Hugo Chavez years, RCTV's editorial policy has been to support democratic governance and has been critical of efforts to consolidate power in the office of the President. In 2007, RCTV was stripped of its ability to broadcast and became primarily a cable station.

Marcel Granier, is the chief executive officer of RCTV, trained as a lawyer, he has worked for the station since the 1970s. Granier continues to live in Venezuela and to speak out for democracy and human rights.

The National Press Club is located on the 13^th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. This news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact: Jamie Horwitz at 202-549-4921, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club