The Devil's Excrement

Venezuelans are accustomed to celebrating the New Year’s at home, with family, not in public places like in many parts of the world. The Mayors of Caracas have tried in the last three years to change that without success. Well, all the marching and demonstrating changed that when the Democratic Coordinator invited people to go to the Altamira Distributor to await the New Year. It was packed as people danced on the highway to the live music of the country’s most popular dancing orchestra Billo’s Caracas Boys with merengues, Paso Dobles, cumbias and guarachas and beautiful fireworks.

More pictures in the Pictures section, sent by Oscar Sabater.

The 18th. Control Court ordered the Minsiter of Defense to free Gral. Martinez today. At the same time, COFAVIC, the Human Rights organization has urged the Government to respect the habeas corpus decided by the Court as it constitutes one of the most basic rights to guarantee the freedom, integrity and life of people.

To those that still believe that there is a democracy in Venezuela and those that always say we should wait for the recall referendum in August, I present the following evidence:

-On Dec. 18th. the Supreme Court returned the Metropolitan Police to the Metropolitan Mayor and gave the Cahvez Administration 15 calendar days to return it to its legal supervisor: the Mayor. The 15 days expired yesterday and the Chavez Government has yet to return it.

-Two days ago a First Circuit Judge (level just below the Supreme Court) ruled that Genral Martinez’ rights were violated (human and civil) and his detention was illegitimate. Well, 48 hours later, Gral. Martinez is still under arrest by the military.

Thus, I ask, is there a rule of law in Venezuela? Is there Democracy in Venezuela? Will there be a referendum Feb. 2nd.? Will there be a recall referendum in August?

To me the answers are obvious…….that is why Hugo Chavez Frias has to resign, his total disregard for the law and democracy makes him illegitimate as a President.

Twenty four hours after a judge granted the habeas corpus decision requested by the lawyers of General Martinez Alfonso, the General is still under arrest. I challenge any supporter of Chavez to tell me how this can be justified. In particular;

-The Gral. was arrested illegaly.

-He was beaten.

-He was not placed under house arrest until more than twelve hours after he was intially detained.

-A judge said his rights were violated, the detention was arbitray and he was not granted due process.

-He is still under house arrest.

Ok, I would challenge anyone that believes the law is being respected or Gral. Martinez’ rights are not being violated to point out with specifics how the current violation of the law and Constitution may be justified in the bizarre minds of the Chavez Government. No,” I feel”, “they can”, only specific articles of the law……

Just in case I affirm that this is a violation of the Generals Human, Civil and Constitutioanl Rights by Hugo Chavez and his band of bandits.

Despite the order by the Judge, General Martinez has not been freed in this great travesty of “democracy” that Hugo Chavez presides……

General Carlos Alfonzo Martinez was ordered freed today when an injunction by his lawyers was favorably received by a First Circuit Court Judge. The judge ruled that the General’s has his Constitutional rights violated, he was not given the right to due process and was detained illegitimately (nice people!). I had hedged my bets saying he would be freed by Thursday, but my prediction was correct. The other one also will be correct, but I will never be able to prove it. This is an obvious resolution to the problem but reaffirms the irresponsability of the Chavez Government.

Very interesting article in today’s El Nacional page A-5 by Antonio Sanchez Garcia, originally from Chile and an Allende supporter who emigrated after the coup and lives in Venezuela. The article is too long to transalte but I recommend it to those that read Spanish. Two paragarphs are worth mentioning:

“This is the terrible quid pro quo of both revolutions: the venezuelan one would deserve for this opposition a President like Salvador Allende. Chile’s opposition, with Pinochet at the forefront,a President like Hugo Chavez Frias. A gangster against a gangster. The noble against the noble.”

“I would like that Ricardo Lagos, who would have never become President of Chile without that agreement favored and promoted by our democracy and our parties…could see Venezuela without wrath, without oportunism, without Realpolitik, without the OAS, without selfishness. He should be the perfect man called by that strange destiny that has always joined Chile and Venezuela since the time of Andres Bello, to make the most enormous effort to achieve understanding between the Democratic Coordinator and the single man that confronts it, not a Government alliance or people with an illusion: Hugo Chavez Frias.”