British billionaire and Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson announced a benefit show last week to raise funds for food and medicine for the citizens of Venezuela. Modeled after Bob Geldofs Eighties Live Aid telethons for Ethiopia, the concert is set to take place this Friday in the Colombian border town of Ccuta, which sits on the Venezuelan border.
On Tuesday, Roger Waters entered the fray, criticizing the concert and citing concerns over the ramifications of foreign intervention.The Red Cross and the U.N., unequivocally agree, dont politicize aid, the Pink Floyd bassist wrote on Twitter. Leave the Venezuelan people alone to exercise their legal right to self determination.
It has nothing to do with humanitarian aid at all, Waters continued via video. It has to do with Richard Branson having bought the U.S. saying, We have decided to take over Venezuela, for whatever our reasons may be. Do we really want Venezuela to turn in to another Iraq or Syria or Libya? I dont and neither do the Venezuelan people.
No Flamenco at the 2019 Latin Grammys, Says Academy PresidentShakira Puts a Dreamy New Spin on Camilo, Pedro Cap's 'Tutu'10 Things You Didn't Know About the Beatles' MusicPerforming With Missy Elliott, 17 Years Later
A representative for Bransonstated that the U.S. government played no role in the organization of the show. Richard is helping them to raise awareness of the crisis in Venezuela and raise much needed funds through this event, a spokesperson for Virgin said in a press statement. This is not a political statement and the U.S. is not involved in any aspect of this.
Nicols Maduro, the contested president of Venezuela, has denied there is a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and has shut down the borders in fear that foreign aid efforts are part of a U.S.-orchestrated coup. In response to Bransons show,Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez announced that the Maduro government would host two counter-concerts this weekend to compete with Bransons Aid Live show. The shows will be set on the Venezuelan side of the Simn Bolvar International Bridge, which connects the country with Colombia. The lineup has yet to be announced.
In a video titled Venezuela Needs Our Help, Venezuelan-American viral-video star Lele Pons issued a plea on Friday, urging fans to contribute $100 million in aid in 60 days. As of Tuesday night, a total of 32 artists have been confirmed. For more information, visit VenezuelaAidLive.com.
Confirmed Lineup for Venezuela Aid Live Concert
Alesso
Alejandro Sanz
Camilo Echeverry
Carlos Baute
Carlos Vives
Cholo Valderrama
Chyno Miranda
Danny Ocean
Diego Torres
El Puma
Fonseca Gusi
JencarlosCanela
Jorge Glem
Jorge Villamizar
Jos Luis Rodrguez
Juanes
Juan Luis Guerra
Lele Pons
Luis Fonsi
Maluma
Man
Mau y Ricky
Miguel Bos
Nacho
Paulina Rubio
Reik
Reynaldo Armas
Reymar Perdomo
Ricardo Montaner
Rudy Mancuso
Santiago Cruz
Silvestre Dangond