Capriles calls for "perfect unity" to tackle crisis in Venezuela

Dissenting Miranda state governor, Henrique Capriles Radonski, demanded the government to stop giving oil away, increase production to recover the market lost over the last years, and stop threatening the private sector

Opposition Miranda state governor, Henrique Capriles Radonski, asserted on Wednesday that dissenters should work together to face the problems in Venezuela because "this is not a time for disputes," for there is a much bigger aim.

In a press conference with local and international media, the governor stressed that the opposition will be restructured not only around the Unified Democratic Panel (MUD), a body he described as a coordination body, but also around something transcending that coalition. "This is a moment for team work; perfect unity has to be achieved."

He added that he had held talks with former deputy María Corina Machado, and that he would talk to dissenting party Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) leader and Metropolitan Mayor, Antonio Ledezma.

"For those who are asking what we should do, I can tell you that there are proposals which we can make a reality based on people's pressure. If censorship is imposed on the people, then it is time for people to express themselves on the streets," Capriles asserted, as he announced that an anti-government demonstration would be staged soon.

Moreover, he demanded the government, as a first step to overcome the crisis, to stop giving oil away, increase production to recover the market the country has lost over the last years, stop threatening the private sector, provide a balance of the plots of land that have been seized by the government, and disclose the list of the front companies that have received and embezzled foreign currency from the National Center for Foreign Trade (Cencoex).

Source: http://www.eluniversal.com/

Leading Venezuelan opposition figure charged over alleged plot to kill president

Maria Corina Machado told she will face criminal charges for her alleged involvement in a supposed plot to kill Nicolas Maduro.

A leading figure in the Venezuelan opposition has been told she will face criminal charges for alleged involvement in a purported plot to kill President Nicolas Maduro, a move she called an attempt to silence her and other critics of Venezuela’s government.

Maria Corina Machado, a former member of the National Assembly, left a private meeting with prosecutors at the Ministry of Justice after authorities informed her that she would be charged with conspiracy. The charge carries a maximum of 16 years in prison.

Her case will now be assigned to a judge so Machado can be formally charged.

“All the accusations and the supposed evidence are false,” she told reporters outside the ministry.

Machado has repeatedly said she has no knowledge of any plot against Maduro and portrays the allegations as political persecution.

“I have not committed any crime,” she said before the meeting with prosecutors. “This is the price I have to pay for speaking the truth in Venezuela.”

The attorney general’s office opened its investigation in March after officials claimed a plot was being formed against Maduro and others in the government involving Machado and several other opposition figures. Authorities have not provided any evidence publicly beyond some allegedly incriminating emails. The government has prohibited Machado from leaving the country since June.

Tomas Arias, one of her lead attorneys, said the defense had asked for more specific proof of any link between Machado and what he called the “supposed plot” against the president. Authorities have provided nothing in response, he said.

Prosecutors have issued arrest orders for several other opposition figures for their alleged roles in the supposed plot, several of whom have left Venezuela.

Since narrowly winning election last year to succeed his mentor, the late President Hugo Chavez, Maduro has claimed there have been five assassination attempts against him and more than a dozen acts of sabotage and conspiracy.

The investigation of Machado comes as oil-dependent Venezuela comes under increasing financial strain because of plunging world oil prices, forcing the government to cut spending amid widespread shortages and the world’s highest inflation.

Source: Associated Press in Caracas
theguardian.com, Wednesday 3 December 2014 22.50 GMT

Opposition deputy's defense attorney: No offense has been committed

If Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz determines probable cause, Deputy María Corina Machado will have to appear at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  04:18 PM

Venezuela's Parliament has requested the Attorney General Office to ascertain whether probable cause exists for the impeachment of opposition Deputy María Corina Machado. The dissenter is charged with offenses related to her   involvement in anti-government protests, which have claimed a death toll of 31 since February 12.

Parliament's Speaker Diosdado Cabello prepared the action whereby Machado is accused of treason, terrorist acts, instigation to commit crimes; homicide, and conspiracy.

If Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz determines probable cause, Machado will have to appear at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.

"There are no offenses; charges are brought without any grounds whatsoever; liability is found without holding a trial or exercising any (right to) defense; imprisonment takes places for no reason, isolating detainees and subjecting them to punishment or any sort of intimidation; and on top of all this tragic scenario, appeals for dialogue and peace are made," defense Attorney Alberto Arteaga Sánchez contested.

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