Hidden Truths about "Political Persecution" in Venezuela
The masters of the universe have been telling us about a major political "crackdown" happening now in Venezuela, represented by 2 high-profile "political asylum" cases. We are told there is a "wave of indictments and government investigations of the president's most vocal political foes." How the arrest of 11 politicians in recent months is an egregious example of Hugo Chavez's "persecution" of "dissidents." Some allege (like opposition Mayor Antonio Ledezma) that "It is a general political witch hunt that no sector that opposes the government can escape."
Unfortunately, what the press and their masters do not tell us at all is that almost half (5/11) of those who have been charged with corruption are from pro-Chavez parties, including long-time Chavez supporter Juan Barreto. 5 of 9 Mayors are PSUV or Government supporters. That kind of blows up the who argument right there doesn't it? Wonder why the good reporters did not think of telling us that?
Very few US press accounts also mention that Interpol certified the legitimacy of the charges against poster-boy political asylee Manuel Rosales (in Peru as of last week). This verification affirmed, as Interpol's Constitution mandates, that Rosales was not wanted on political charges - but that the evidence against him for corruption is serious.
I guaranteed they didn't tell you the public corruption prosecutor in Venezuela is in a wholly independent branch of Government from Chavez. In fact, they probably said the courts are under Chavez's control. How is that, one might wonder, given the near-total separation of powers in Venezuela's Constitution?
And don't we usually assume that when people flee rather than face their accusers they are guilty of a crime? Rosales blew off the scheduled interviews with authorities to offer his side of the story, but then claims the Government will not listen to him.
But I digress...
The masters of the universe have been telling us about a major political "crackdown" happening now in Venezuela, represented by 2 high-profile "political asylum" cases. We are told there is a "wave of indictments and government investigations of the president's most vocal political foes." How the arrest of 11 politicians in recent months is an egregious example of Hugo Chavez's "persecution" of "dissidents." Some allege (like opposition Mayor Antonio Ledezma) that "It is a general political witch hunt that no sector that opposes the government can escape."
Unfortunately, what the press and their masters do not tell us at all is that almost half (5/11) of those who have been charged with corruption are from pro-Chavez parties, including long-time Chavez supporter Juan Barreto. 5 of 9 Mayors are PSUV or Government supporters. That kind of blows up the who argument right there doesn't it? Wonder why the good reporters did not think of telling us that?
Very few US press accounts also mention that Interpol certified the legitimacy of the charges against poster-boy political asylee Manuel Rosales (in Peru as of last week). This verification affirmed, as Interpol's Constitution mandates, that Rosales was not wanted on political charges - but that the evidence against him for corruption is serious.
I guaranteed they didn't tell you the public corruption prosecutor in Venezuela is in a wholly independent branch of Government from Chavez. In fact, they probably said the courts are under Chavez's control. How is that, one might wonder, given the near-total separation of powers in Venezuela's Constitution?
And don't we usually assume that when people flee rather than face their accusers they are guilty of a crime? Rosales blew off the scheduled interviews with authorities to offer his side of the story, but then claims the Government will not listen to him.
But I digress...
Labels: manuel rosales, political persecution, venezuela
posted by leftside at
11:39 PM
5 Comments:
Why is the apartheid with regard to the internet in Cuba continuing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LpSCqfKPeA
You don't support forbidding cubans from using hotel computers do you?
How many times do I have to tell you? As soon as the US ends its program of using cyber subversion as a weapon against the country (and Cuba has an adequate internet infrastructure), I will gladly join your crusade. Unfortunately, even with Obama's positive move on the fiber optic line, we are still not there yet. The problem is that the US Government has given no indication that it seeks to stop its policy of regime change in Cuba - using cyber dissidents like Yoani - as an important part of the strategy. Yoani is clearly pushing the boundaries now - openly meeting with US officials and parroting their lines, as well as supporting the use of violence on the island to achieve a change. Cuba's independence and sovereignty comes first given an enemy so callous and powerful.
And BTW, this new policy from the Cuban telecommunications company was really just a clarification of existing rules. Americans are not allowed to use private hotel wifi or property if they are not guests.
Alas, a bit of actual reporting on the issue finds out something much different that what Yoani and co. are telling the world. The restriction is only at the Melia Cohiba:
El Pais reports Cubans are still being permitted service at other hotels. The reason, hotel sources told the newspaper, is that the Cohiba has a new contract with Etecsa, the phone company that is also the Internet service provider – and that contract contains the no-Cubans-on-the-Internet clause.
Furthermore, it is not unreasonable for hotel internet access to be reserved for foreign guests. Tourism is Cuba’s biggest hard currency earner, and tourists’ expectations of service have to be delivered, or there will be no tourists. That’s the unglamorous truth. Service is very slow in Cuba, and apparently (according to the video), the Melia Cohiba had recently upgraded their service. Along with the upgrade came the stipulation.
As you should know well by niow, Cuba has very limited bandwidth because the US blockade prevents them accessing the technology required to provide high speed broadband at affordable prices.
We'll Cubans might be some backward in bandwidth but they are great in making cigars. I bet. Cohiba Siglo VI is one of it. I love it and that's why I love cuba for providing such a great product.
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