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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Venezuelan gov't exerts arbitrary control over Internet

At least 500 websites have been blocked in the country

DANIEL GONZÁLEZ CAPPA |  EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  01:19 PM

Blocks and attacks against Internet in Venezuela have been on the rise. As many as 500 websites are estimated to have been blocked.

Ricardo Holmquist, a representative for the Venezuelan Internet Society (ISOC), believes the number of websites arbitrarily blocked could be higher than 500 and particularly in connection with information about the unofficial forex rate, the health state of late President Hugo Chávez, and critiques against the Government.

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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.

Sicad 2 starts up on Monday, March 24

According to Venezuelan Vice-President for Economic Affairs Rafael Ramírez, the scheme is being tested with the help of financial brokers

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday March 20, 2014  03:11 PM

The second Ancillary Foreign Currency Administration System (Sicad 2) will start operations on Monday, March 24, as reported by Venezuelan Vice-President for Economic Affairs Rafael Ramírez.

"Sicad 2 will start up on Monday, March 24, upon completion of all the testing of the system together with operators," the senior officer twitted.

Minutes later, he said on state-run TV channel VTV that there will not be middlemen in the scheme and that demand "would be satisfied with supply." He clarified that there will not be ceiling for the foreign currency coming in the system and that there is enough to meet the stock market. Ramírez commented that public banks and the oil sector have been authorized to place financial instruments in that market.

Ramírez added that he had met with the operators authorized to start operations "perfectly" that day. He promised a meeting on Friday with brokerage firms.

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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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