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Venezuela's President Urges All Women to Have 6 Children

Associated Press

   CARACAS, VENEZUELA - President Nicolas Maduro wants Venezuelan women to
   have many children as a way to boost the country, which has seen
   millions of people flee in recent years to escape its economic crisis.

   Maduro made the exhortation during a televised event Tuesday evening
   for a government program promoting various birth methods.

   "God bless you for giving the country six little boys and girls," the
   socialist president told a woman at the event. "To give birth, then, to
   give birth, all women to have six children, all. Let the homeland
   grow!"

   The comments drew criticism from human rights activists and others who
   noted Venezuelans already are struggling to provide food, clothes and
   health care for their families.

   "It is irresponsible, on the part of a president of the Republic, to
   encourage women to have six children simply to make a homeland, when
   there is a homeland that does not guarantee children their lives," said
   Oscar Misle, founder of CECODAP, a group that defends the rights of
   young people.

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