| Submit your comments on this article |
| Latin America |
| Venezuelan strike leaders charged with treason |
| 2003-02-22 |
| President Hugo Chavez demanded 20-year prison terms Friday for two prominent opponents who directed a nationwide strike that devastated Venezuela's oil-based economy. Carlos Fernandez, head of Venezuela's largest business chamber, and Carlos Ortega, leader of its biggest labor confederation, are charged with treason and other crimes for the two-month strike, which cost more than $4 billion. Fernandez was arrested by secret police Wednesday and hauled into court Friday. Ortega went into hiding when a judge issued an arrest warrant. I'm surprised. I'd have thought Fernandez was dead. Guess Hugo intends to make an example of him... Thousands protested Fernandez's arrest in the western oil city of Maracaibo. Hundreds more rallied in Caracas and blocked a highway. Commies like Hugo always bow to the Will of the People™, unless the people want something the commies don't want... "These oligarchs believed that they were untouchable. There are no untouchables in Venezuela. A criminal is a criminal," Chavez thundered during a ceremony handing land titles to peasants in Trujillo state. Unless he's a commie, of course. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 Fidel would be so proud! |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-02-22 11:27:28 |