Venezuela urges Chile not to air opinions about internal affairs

Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz offered to mediate in government-opposition dialogue in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs rebutted the remarks made by Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz, who offered help to resume government-opposition dialogue in Venezuela.

"The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz to refrain from expressing any views on Venezuela's internal affairs, and requires through his ambassador to Venezuela an explanation on the content and extent of his statements," the communiqué reads.

The Venezuelan government "has not requested through public or diplomatic means any intervention in its affairs," the statement added.

In a press conference on Monday, Heraldo Muñoz said he hoped for the resumption of political talks in Venezuela, suspended in May 2014.

Source: http://www.eluniversal.com/

China offers loans to Latin America, Caribbean

All members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States can apply for commercial loans from China, which were initially proposed by President Xi Jinping on a visit to Brazil last year, a senior diplomat said on Monday.

The remarks by Zhu Qingqiao, Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs under the Foreign Ministry, suggested CELAC members without diplomatic ties with China can also have access to the loans.

Around a dozen CELAC members, including Paraguay and Haiti, have no formal diplomatic relationships with Beijing.

China and the CELAC will map out an overall plan guiding China-CELAC cooperation, including in the financial sector, during the first China-CELAC ministerial forum, which is set to be held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday, Zhu said at a press conference in Beijing.

More than 40 ministerial-level delegates, including 20 foreign ministers from the CELAC countries, have confirmed their attendance at the meeting, Zhu said.

The forum was established in July, 2014 after a meeting between Xi and leaders from China, Latin America and the Caribbean in Brasilia. It was the first collective meeting of China's president and leaders of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

In Brasilia, Xi proposed the creation of a $20 billion fund to finance infrastructure projects in Latin American and the Caribbean, and offered to extend a credit line of up to $10 billion to nations of CELAC via the Bank of China.

Su Zhenxing, a senior research fellow on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said countries without diplomatic relationships with Beijing are not excluded as they have maintained trade links with China for a long period, albeit small in size, and China is fostering cooperation with the whole CELAC.

CELAC, established in December 2011, is the largest regional political cooperation in the Western Hemisphere and consist of 33 countries except the United States and Canada.

The forum in Beijing showed the group’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with China, especially in the economic sector, said Su.

The meeting is expected to formulate operational rules for the forum and provide guidance in cooperation areas, he added.

China is the second largest trading partner and third largest investment source for Latin America. Trade between Latin America, the Caribbean and China has seen a significant increase in recent years, reaching $261.6 billion in 2013.

Xi is scheduled to attend the forum’s opening ceremony on Thursday morning, along with Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solis, Ecuador President Rafael Correa Delgado, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie and Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro Moros.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/

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

Thirty-one slain in connection with Venezuelan demonstrations

The attorney general explained that 318 out of 461 people injured were civilians, whereas the remaining 143 casualties included police agents, military officers and Government officials

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  12:03 PM

Venezuela's Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz has informed that since February 12, 31 people have been killed, 461 injured and 1,854 detained in events related to demonstrations in Venezuela.

In an official radio broadcast, Ortega outlined that 25 out of the 31 people killed were civilians whereas the other six included police agents, military officers and public prosecutors.

The attorney general added that 318 out of the 461 people injured were civilians. The remaining 143 casualties included police agents, military officers and Government officials, AVN reported.

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Minister of Justice: Mayors brought to court to protect majority's rights

The judiciary "does not act to ensure the right of a small group intending, with the excuse of the right to protest, mar Venezuelans' lives and hit the country governance"

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  02:22 PM

"Justice bodies ruled in favor of the great majorities and act to protect their rights." The statement Venezuelan Minister of the Interior and Justice Miguel Rodríguez Torres came after the detention of opposition Mayors Daniel Ceballos and Enzo Scarano.

"Venezuelans need to understand that State institutions, not the Government in this case, act to protect the right of majorities instead of those of a small group attempting to use the right to protest as a pretext to cloud the lives of Venezuelans, and hit governance in the country," Torres told the press.

Further on, the minister stated violent spots remained in San Cristóbal, the capital city of Táchira state, and San Diego municipality in Valencia, the capital city of Carabobo state.

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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The United States expresses concern about arrest of mayors in Venezuela

The US Department of State called for the end of violence

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  04:40 PM

Through its spokesperson, Jen Psaki, the US Department of State expressed on Thursday its concerns about the detention of two opposition mayors in Venezuela, and called on authorities for the release of people unfairly held in custody, AFP reported.

The US also called for the end of restrictions to the freedom of press and made an appeal for an inclusive dialogue with all Venezuelans from the political spectrum.

The spokesperson remarked that Venezuela should stop violence against its own citizens and opposition leaders.

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Capriles: The gov't fears depolarization able to unite Venezuelans

The opposition leader seized the opportunity to ask dissenters to "control their feelings" in light of citizens' reactions to the latest events in Venezuela

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  05:38 PM

Venezuelan opposition Governor Henrique Capriles described the Government's latest moves as mere fascism and said mobilization of people is the way to address it.  

Capriles remarked that the Government showed on Wednesday clear signs of its lack of commitment to dialogue or peace. He stressed that authorities are just propelling the right scenarios to continue with the country's current conflict. "What is behind this? It must be something dark. A Government which has been talking about a coup for one month has surely considered a self-coup," said Capriles during the demonstration held in Caracas on Thursday morning.

The opposition leader seized the opportunity to ask dissenters to "control their feelings" in light of citizens' reactions to the latest events in Venezuela. "This is not the time to go nuts! The Government seeks (protests) end in violence. They fear depolarization able to unite Venezuelans".

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National Electoral Council works on election of new San Diego mayor

Sandra Oblitas, a director of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), gave the news

VÍCTOR LA CRUZ |  EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  01:40 PM

Sandra Oblitas, a director of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), disclosed that having received a notice issued by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) on absolute absence of Enzo Scarano, the mayor of San Diego municipality in Valencia, the capital city of Carabobo state, "the date for a new election" will be provided soon.

Earlier, on Thursday, the San Diego Municipal Council appointed Pablo Antonio Domínguez as deputy mayor. On Wednesday evening, the TSJ sentenced Scarano to imprisonment for 10 months and 15 days and also ordered his removal for alleged contempt of court.

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Parlatino upholds by unanimity visit of Unasur's committee to Venezuela

The group's Vice-President Roy Daza pointed out that Unasur's resolution supports three pillars: "It strongly condemns violence in Venezuela," supports "democracy and Venezuela's democratic institutions," and finally approves the creation a "a Foreign Ministers Committee to accompany, support, and advise on the building of a constructive and wide political dialogue"

EL UNIVERSAL

Tuesday March 18, 2014  04:15 PM

The Venezuelan Parliamentary Group for the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) unanimously endorsed a resolution from the Union of South American States (Unasur) during its Special Meeting of Foreign Ministers. The resolution provides for the establishment of a Foreign Ministers Committee to visit Venezuela in order to assess and collaborate along with national political forces in the peace talks expected to end violent actions in Venezuela.

The group's Vice-President Roy Daza pointed out that Unasur's resolution supports three pillars: "It strongly condemns  violence in Venezuela," supports "democracy and Venezuela's democratic institutions," and finally approves the creation a "a Foreign Ministers Committee to accompany, support, and advise in the building of a constructive and wide political dialogue, oriented to restore peaceful coexistence."

Venezuelan dissenter: Protests will remain as long as there is crisis

"Nicolás is afraid of debate, as he knows that he lacks allegations on human rights abuses"

EL UNIVERSAL

Tuesday March 18, 2014  12:50 PM

On Tuesday, during an interview with a radio station, Venezuelan leader and Miranda state governor Henrique Capriles Radonski said that street protests will remain in Venezuela as long as there is social crisis, including insecurity, scarcity, inflation, and human rights abuses.

Capriles Radonski reiterated that if the Venezuelan government does not rectify with regard to social unrest, people will skip over it.

He upheld his readiness to hold a debate with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in order to actually deal with the plight undergone by Venezuelans.

Maduro says the US is obviously seeking to overthrow him

"Every message sent by the US Government is intended to fuel the flame of violence that is put off every day" thanks to the work of the police and the military.

EL UNIVERSAL

Friday March 14, 2014  11:24 PM

President Nicolás Maduro said on Friday it is "obvious" that the US government seeks to "overthrow" his government through the protests hitting Venezuela since February.

"It is clear: the United States has openly taken over the leadership of the overthrow of the Government of Venezuela. Consequently, the US Government is currently the hostage to the lobby of Republicans and the right-wing in Miami," said Maduro in a press conference with local and foreign press.

"Take it easy... You are pushing President (Barack) Obama to the edge of a cliff," because you are failing to promote political destabilization in Venezuela, Maduro told the lobbyists.

Further, Maduro acknowledged "abuses" and "excesses" have been perpetrated, adding that 21 officers have been arrested and are facing trial.

He added that "only" 558 students remain in jail, out of 1,529 detainees. Maduro explained that 150 people will remain in custody because they were arrested while carrying firearms.

"Every message sent by the US Government is intended to fuel the flame of violence that is put off every day" thanks to the work of the police and the military," said Maduro, DPA reported.

The soldiers attacked "like a pack of hunting hounds"

Despite repression, "Venezuela is worth the sacrifice," Maurizio Ottaviani says.

ALICIA DE LA ROSA |  EL UNIVERSAL

Saturday March 15, 2014  12:00 AM

"The soldiers were inflamed by hate and bloodlust. They were totally out of control. It's like when animals are unleashed; like when a pack of hunting hounds is set on a prey, chasing it until they catch it, then savaging it until it is shot. They attacked like vicious dogs." Santa María University student Maurizio Ottaviani (20) thus describes his terrible ordeal at the hands of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).

Ottaviani was one of the 41 people caught in an ambush set up by National Guard soldiers driving motorcycles, in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas -an anti-government stronghold- on the evening of 28 February. Excessive use of force by the security forces against demonstrators was denounced by Venezuelan human rights organizations, such as the Citizens Equity and Rights Foundation (Fundeci), the Due Process Foundation (Fundepro), the Human Rights Center at Andrés Bello Catholic University (CDH-UCAB), the Venezuelan Criminal Forum association of human rights lawyers, the human rights committees of the Venezuelan opposition umbrella group Unified Democratic Panel (MUD) and of Santa María University.

"I was peacefully demonstrating near the Torre Británica building in Altamira. Just as I turned towards the highway, a group of National Guard soldiers on motorcycles rumbled towards me. I tried to flee, but on seeing them circling me, I froze making no attempt to resist. Four guardsmen came at me; they robbed me of my backpack, and started beating me up, trying to force me to the ground. When they knocked me down, my first instinct was to curl up in the fetal position in an attempt to protect myself. They brutally kicked me on the stomach and on the back. I reached out to block the blows and left my face unprotected. One of them stamped his boot heel onto the right side of my face," says Ottaviani, an international relations student. After being held for 37 hours at a courthouse, he was taken to a clinic where he was diagnosed with conjunctival hemorrhage damaging 80% of his right eye.

On seeing Ottaviani's mangled face, the guards stopped beating him and tied him up with plastic handcuffs. They loaded him onto a motorcycle and drove him off to a GNB bus parked on the Altamira highway interchange, where they held him for hours with other detained protesters. "I was scared; I thought they were going to kill me. The soldiers sought to inflict terror upon us during the hours we spent on the bus, threatening us with asphyxia by tear gas," Ottaviani recalls. But his resolve remains intact.  "I want to take to the streets again, but a judge took away my right of assembly. I'll never give up the fight. Venezuela is worth the sacrifice," he says.

Acts of torture and cruel treatment

A report released by the Human Rights Center at Andrés Bello Catholic University (CDH-UCAB) gives an account of 400 cases of detained protesters, as of 7 March, in the Greater Caracas area alone. The report identifies specific patterns of abuse by members of State security forces in locations like Universidad avenue (February 12), San Antonio de Los Altos (February 19), Los Castores (February 25), and Altamira square (February 28).

"Most detained protesters were held incommunicado; authorities did not record statements attesting to the mental and physical condition of the detainees; protesters report having been robbed of cash and cell phones. Most denounce having been subjected to physical abuse (beatings, pellet shooting) and psychological abuse (death or rape threats)," the report notes.

The report points out that the facilities used as detention centers "are completely inadequate," highlighting the case of the Command of the Bolivarian National Guard in La Dolorita (northeast of Caracas) where 18 youth were held for two days in one room, without a bathroom, ventilation, sleeping mats or food."

From those arrested at Urdaneta avenue, (downtown Caracas) 16 denounce having been subjected to acts of torture and cruel treatment while held at the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Agency (Cicpc) headquarters in Parque Carabobo. "They were forced to remain on their knees keeping their trunk upright for hours. They were beaten up and doused with gasoline."

They disfigured my son's face

Luis Gutiérrez, a student at Central University of Venezuela, was taking part in a demonstration in San Antonio de Los Altos (Greater Caracas) on February 19 when he was arrested.

According to his mother, Katiuska Pietro, law enforcement officers beat him up so badly "causing multiple broken bones to his face, leaving it completely disfigured. He had to undergo reconstructive surgery."
The court was moved to the hospital in Los Teques (Greater Caracas) for Gutiérrez's hearing. He was released pending trial and must appear before court every 45 days, as reported by the Human Rights Center at Andrés Bello Catholic University (CDH-UCAB).

Ill-treated and robbed

Human rights lawyers, Elenis Rodríguez, the director of Fundeci, and Jackeline Sandoval, the president of Fundepro, along with a group of aggrieved youth, appeared before the Attorney General's Office to complain that the youth were not only beaten and vexed, but also robbed by security forces.

Ana Karina Triana (20), a marketing student, is one of such complainants. She was arrested by the GNB on Altamira square, as she was walking home with a friend. "I heard people shouting for us to run away, and I tried to, but oil on the pavement made it slippery. A guardsman grabbed me by the hair, loaded me onto a motorcycle and drove me off to the Altamira highway interchange. On arriving there, I was bludgeoned on the head with a tear gas grenade launcher. I was stunned," she says.

She was robbed of her backpack. As she was pushed into the BNG bus she saw two girls (Shakira Casal and Lisbel Sanguino) in handcuffs, surrounded by a dozen soldiers. "The girls were screaming because some of the military were spanking and groping them. I remained calm, yet the guardsmen yelled threats at me: ‘We're going to rape you, dirty bitch,' they kept saying."

Daniel Alejandro Rodríguez (20), a student at Nueva Esparta University, and Juan Pablo De Haro (20), a store worker, were beaten up by the GNB in Altamira on February 28.

Rodríguez was taken to a hospital "after a guardsman bludgeoned him on the head with a rifle." He was robbed of his cell phones. "The national guards who beat me up left bruises all over my body," De Haro says. He too was robbed of his backpack.

Shot in the genitals

Moisés David Guánchez (19) was sent home by his boss at a restaurant in La Cascada shopping mall (Greater Caracas) where he works, in view of the unrest of March 5. "When he left the mall, national guardsmen came at him. They fired a load of pellets at him. He was wounded in the groin, in the right buttock, and in one arm," says María Esperanza Hermida, a coordinator at Caracas-based human rights organization Provea.
Mónica Díaz, Guánchez's mother, says her bleeding son "was lifted onto a motorcycle, but the local residents started yelling at the GNB, calling for the young man to be taken to the hospital in a car. He was rushed to Victorino Santaella hospital where he underwent surgery," Hermida said.

Guánchez's is the first case in which the Office of the Ombudswoman requested an investigation into the actions of the national guard. The court acquitted and discharged him.

Bachelet reaffirms support to Maduro; urges respect for human rights

"We hope that democracy turns out to be an essential value"

EL UNIVERSAL

Monday March 17, 2014  11:58 AM

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has reaffirmed that nobody, included individuals or countries, is entitled to overthrown a legitimate elected president through violence. Bachelet's comment came with respect to a wave of protests staged in Venezuela against President Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks.

Amidst reports of torture and violation of dissenters' human rights, Bachelet told Reuters, "We hope at all times for the respect of human rights and the Constitution, and hope that democracy turns out to be an essential value."

Bachelet noted that during the meeting of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) held on Wednesday in Santiago de Chile, foreign ministers weighed alternatives to help Venezuela overcome the crisis. "This is why a joint declaration was produced and a foreign ministers committee will be set up to travel to Venezuela before April 1," Efe reported.

Venezuela protest 2014 Caracas cops clash with protesters

Colombia: We will never support a violent solution

Colombia's foreign minister advocates resuming stability in Venezuela

EL UNIVERSAL

Monday March 17, 2014  01:25 PM

In the wake of the crisis Venezuela is currently facing, Colombian Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín has remarked that her country does not support any solution out of the democratic framework, and stood for the reestablishment of stability.

"We have called for the respect of human rights, the pursuit of peace and dialogue, and the preservation of all democratic rights, seeking that Venezuela will be able to restore stability, which is fundamental for its people, as it is for us and the whole region. We will not support any solution out of democratic framework," Holguín told daily newspaper El Tiempo as DPA reported.

Colombian foreign minister stressed that her country deems it necessary to "respect a government that has been elected by its people."

The Venezuela protest, 10 Downing Street

"Diffuse protests" do not lead to changes in Venezuela

Experts held meeting on protests at Andrés Bello Catholic University, Venezuela

JAVIER ALFREDO MORENO SUCRE |  EL UNIVERSAL

Tuesday March 18, 2014  07:12 AM

Scholars and specialists in social conflicts gathered at Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), Caracas, at a forum on the Venezuelan crisis. The experts concluded that "protests taking place in the country need to be reoriented if there is a true interest in shifting the way of life of all Venezuelans."

Luis Vicente León, director of research firm Datanálisis and a panelist at the forum, entitled "Balance and assessment on protests," asserted during his presentation that even though 62% of the population believes the Venezuela's state of affairs is unstable; it is also true that 60% rejects barricades and violent actions.

"If people organizing protests over the situation of Venezuela does not find a way through which they can express themselves and be able to include Government supporters, they will just bring about a collective fatigue, which will not lead to positive results; they will be discouraging, instead," León said.


For his part, Luis Pedro España, a sociologist and Professor at UCAB, commented that "there are many reasons for protesting, a hundred, but they (demonstrations) must be specific; there must be clear ideas and the course must be defined. Diffuse protests are insufficient to achieve the changes the society needs," he claimed.

Venezuela Protests: Three Killed In Fresh Unrest

The US does not reply Maduro's proposal for dialogue; insists on mediation

The US Department of States Spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a briefing she did not believe that the US Government was considering naming a special envoy to start talks with Venezuela. The "Government and the opposition need to be in agreement" for the purpose of choosing a third party, the official stated

EL UNIVERSAL

Monday March 17, 2014  06:14 PM

The United States avoided answering questions about the offer made by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro entailing a dialogue on Venezuelan demonstrations, yet the United States reaffirmed that the intervention of a third party is "essential" to ease tension between the Venezuelan Government and the opposition, EFE informed.

US Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a briefing she did not believe that her government was considering naming a special envoy to start talks with the Venezuelan Executive Office and the Union of South American States (Unasur), as proposed by Maduro on Saturday.

"We believe a dialogue should be facilitated by a third party acceptable to all parties in Venezuela," said Psaki adding that the Venezuelan "Government and the opposition need to be in agreement" for the purpose of choosing a third party.

The US spokesperson insisted on saying that the United States focused on "continuing to call on the Venezuelan Government to take steps to promote freedom of speech and take steps to release those who are unjustly jailed."


She commented that "the Venezuelan Government should stop the violence against its citizens (...) lift restrictions on freedom of the press, and engage in an inclusive dialogue with Venezuelans across the political spectrum."