May 30, 2007: Guarimba children

GUARIMBA CHILDREN: Children participation in recent student protests and guarimbas (unauthorized urban disturbances) at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Caracas caused serious damage to opposition tactics. Their detention has ignited concerns over the safety of opposition children. It has also raised apprehension over the legal consequences of their parent supervisory action or political disdain. Opposition groups have expressed alarm over their detention. However, last night, police released more than 45 children. They had been detained during unauthorized protests at San Antonio, Greater Caracas. Human Rights NGO Cofvaic also expressed its worry over criminalization of student protests. Yesterday, President Chavez warned media for misrepresenting current student protests.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

STUDENT PROTEST: Opposition UCV students staged a protest in Chacaito. Then, they submitted a petition to the ombudsman office asking for the release of detained students. There, students claimed their right to protest.   Zulia and Andes University students gathered to protest for freedom of expression and the cancellation of RCTV license.  Fewer student protests took place today around the country though.  Pro government media groups  staged a protest in front of the Supreme Court. They asked for a speedier solution to RCTV legal petitions.

 

GLOBOVISION: Current political debate centers over the Globovision video. It showed images of the murder attempt against John Paul II while a salsa song stated there was hope for the future. Government says it is an incitement to kill President Chavez. Globovison denies such intentions and the opposition backs its case. The Attornery General Office also summoned Globovision Director - Federico Ravel - and presenter of talk show “Aló Ciudadano” - Leopoldo Lopez. They were both asked to go to for an interview related to the investigation, which was filed against Globovision yesterday. 

 

RCTV: Today, opposition leader Manuel Rosales proposed a referendum on RCTV. He also asked for the immediate release of students. Venezuelan Catholic Church asked for peace and respect of constitutional rights. Oddly, there is no reference to RCTV case at all in its communiqué.  This evening, more than 50 people were charged for promoting violence.

 

Opposition activist and MP Oscar Lopez was detained in the evening. He has been involved in various student incidents. Last month, he was also fingered by the government for the CD4 bomb which exploded at Mirada State Parliament Office. There was no strong evidence against him at the time though.  Last night, VTV official TV station screened a video of Chacao Major Leopoldo Lopez. It depicted him asking students to organize themselves and use “violent” means of action. Whether this is a slip of tongue or not, it might cause a hot debate in the near future.

 

SourcesGlobovision VTV BBC unionradio CNN Al Jazeera El País Xinhua