Imprisoned Madeirans in Venezuela

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

A military man and a businessman. The first is from Ponta do Sol, the second is from Câmara de Lobos. The two are detained in processes considered illegal and politically motivated.

The day before yesterday, Miguel Albuquerque recalled that “there are two Madeirans imprisoned for political reasons” in Venezuela.

Without identifying anyone, the president of the Regional Government was speaking of Juan Francisco Rodríguez dos Ramos and Fernando Venâncio, two citizens with Portuguese nationality who are detained in Venezuela based on decisions considered illegal.

Juan Francisco Rodríguez dos Ramos, a colonel in the Bolivarian National Guard, is Portuguese and the son of Madeirans with roots in Ponta do Sol. He visited Madeira in 2017 and 2019. He was arrested in 2019, aged 60 years old.

Fernando Venâncio has roots in Câmara de Lobos. He is a businessman with interests in Maracay or Valencia. He was arrested on the 4th of August 2024. He has been imprisoned in strange conditions for more than 500 days.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

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