A number of Coca Cola workers bearing placards and shouting slogans demonstrated outside local television channel Globovisión to demand respect for their right to work, as former contractors and distributors are currently blocking some 15 premises nationwide.

José Gregorio Noroño Sánchez, a member of Coca Cola trade union in northwestern Zulia state, said they rejected "the illegal takeovers that have been staged nationwide."

"We have demonstrated outside the Ombudsman's Office, the Labor Ministry, and the National Assembly. This situation is jeopardizing our jobs. We support the people who are protesting, but they should go to court to solve this issue," Noroño said.