Millions of Venezuelans sign petition against US decree

Over three million Venezuelans have signed a petition against a US decree that labels the South American country a national security threat.

Earlier this month, Obama signed a decree stating, "the situation in Venezuela...constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat," Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

The mayor of the Caracas capital, Jorge Rodriguez, on Wednesday said that in just six days the petition has collected 3,048,469 signatures.

Rodriguez is heading a social media campaign called "Venezuela is not a threat, we are hope ("Venezuela no es amenaza, somos esperanza"), in response to the presidential decree.

"The reaction of the Venezuelan people has been overwhelming. The show of solidarity, the show of support that Venezuela has received is moving. We have found support in all countries around the world, even in the US," Rodriguez said.

The signature drive began on March 20 and will conclude on April 9, a day before the Summit of the Americas that will gather leaders from across the America, including Obama, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Cuba's Raul Castro.

"We can be sure that we'll reach the goal of 10 million (signatures) before the Summit of the Americas takes place in Panama next month," the mayor added.

Maduro has said he wants to present Obama with the petition and signatures in Panama.

As part of the social media campaign, Rodriguez is also promoting a worldwide demonstration via Twitter on Thursday, which invites supporters to tweet "#ObamaRepealTheExecutiveOrder."

The mayor also suggested supporters attach their favorite songs of protest and send them to Obama, along with the message.