Venezuela Aid Live: Why is Branson being told to 'back off'?
 

To say Venezuela is in the middle of a political crisis would be an understatement. President Nicolás Maduro is locked in a power struggle with Juan Guaidó, an opposition politician and the self-declared interim leader of the country.

So what better way to make the situation less complicated than to add a spat between one of the world's richest people and the bass player from Pink Floyd?

Yes... it's a pretty weird situation.

Richard Branson, the British billionaire behind the Virgin group of companies, announced last week that he was planning to hold a concert to raise money for aid for Venezuela - inspired by similar benefits like Live Aid.

The concert, Venezuela Aid Live, is due to happen this Friday in the Colombian border town of Cucuta, near a bridge that connects it to Venezuela (a bridge, incidentally, that President Maduro has blocked off with shipping containers to prevent US aid getting in).

Mr Branson says the concert will be free for people who can go in person, and live-streamed internationally for those who can't.

The ultimate goal, Mr Branson says, is to raise tens of millions of dollars through donations, and to get aid through President Maduro's blockades - although how exactly he will do that remains unclear.

"Let the music inspire and mobilise you," he adds. "United through music, we can make a huge difference and help bring an end to the needless suffering of millions."

And now, in response, Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters has released a video telling Mr Branson to "back off".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-47271182

It seems like a bit of an outdated concept, to be honest.

yeah, it is outdated, and with mountains of aid already sitting on the border unable to be moved to the folks that need it, I'm not sure what difference it could make. :shrug:

Brian May to show up and blow a hole through the blockade with a righteous power chord amped up to 11?

Typical Money Grab

Not all goes to the poor in that nation