The Pope used the occasion to again decry modern slavery and human trafficking and defend the rights of immigrants. Human rights groups estimate that millions of people around the world are victims of human trafficking and forms of modern slavery such as forced labor and prostitution. "From this city, known as the seat of human rights, I appeal for the rejection of all violence in political life and for a solution to the current grave crisis, which affects everyone, particularly the poorest and most disadvantaged of society," he said. National Human Rights Day is celebrated in Colombia on September 8, the day Claver died in 1654. Maduro has said that he is the victim of an "armed insurrection" and an "economic war" by US-backed opponents seeking to gain control of the OPEC member's oil reserves.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 10, 2017 21:45 UTC