Local restaurant is accepting donations for those affected in Venezuela

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- A nation divided. The president of Venezuela celebrated a victory on Monday after effectively changing the constitution to elect his own assembly.

That move being called unfair to Venezuelans and drawing parallels to dictatorship.

While that country sees violent protests, local Venezuelans are teaming up in hopes of alleviating some of the pain their country is going through.

Mango Café, on South Bend Avenue, is accepting non-perishable items. The staff will then send those items straight to Venezuela.

“Starting today we are taking donations. You guys are more than welcome to bring anything you want,” says Guillermo Mendez Trejo, co-owner of the restaurant. “We all decided to get together and collect as much as we can.”

Mendez says Venezuela is going through some tough times. According to Venezuela’s attorney general’s office, in about four months more than 100 people have died because of protests.

On Monday Liliana Hernandez who is an attorney and former representative, shared her perspective straight from Caracas, a city in Venezuela.

Since Hernandez is currently in the country she was able to explain the reality of the situation.

“Even though this leaves me with a heavy heart, it’s incredible seeing everyone protesting through these streets,” says Hernandez. “It’s not that we’re not scared, because we are, but seeing a county that can persevere allows me to feel proud.”

Hernandez says along with the positive feelings, anger is also roaming their streets. She adds on Sunday, 16 people were killed amid these violent protests.