Venezuela's President Slammed For Salsa Dancing As Country Faces Crisis

November 04, 2016

He's made fiery speeches. He's boosted his country's minimum wage four times this year. And he's vowed opponents won't succeed in removing him from power.

Now Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is taking a new tack as he tries to negotiate his way out of a mounting political crisis.

Maduro, who's been in office since 2013 and faces calls for a recall referendum to end his presidency, launched a new radio show Tuesday. Dubbed "La Hora de la Salsa" (Salsa Hour), the program will air daily on weekdays and touch on musical, cultural and political themes, officials said.

As the first episode aired, government officials posted videos and photos on social media, showing Maduro salsa dancing with his wife in the radio studio.

Tareck El Aissami, governor of Venezuela's Aragua state and a staunch ally of Maduro, said on Twitter that the image sends a clear message: "We are HAPPINESS and REVOLUTION!!"

Tensions have been mounting in Venezuela, which is edging closer to a breaking point as it faces a recession, soaring food prices and broken hospitals. Opponents have pushed for a recall referendum to remove Maduro from power, but courts shot down the effort last month, alleging voter identity fraud.

(CNN)