Tag Archives: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Sep
10
2013
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ICYMI: Capriles appeals to OAS human rights commission

BBC News
September 9, 2013

69757497 69757496 ICYMI: Capriles appeals to OAS human rights commission

Courtesy of: AFP

The defeated Venezuelan presidential candidate, Henrique Capriles, has filed a request at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to declare the April election void.

Mr Capriles alleges there was widespread fraud in the vote narrowly won by acting president Nicolas Maduro.

Last month, the Venezuelan Supreme Court rejected a final plea by Mr Capriles to have the vote annulled.

Mr Capriles vowed to take his fight beyond Venezuela.

Mr Maduro has repeatedly rejected the opposition allegations of fraud.

‘Supranational power’

He also dismissed the Washington-based human rights organisation as lacking credibility.

He praised the late president, Hugo Chavez, for beginning proceedings to pull out from the body last year.

Venezuela is due to officially withdraw from the Commission on Tuesday.

Mr Maduro accused the OAS Human Rights Commission of hating and despising Latin America

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is part of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

“They believe they are a supranational power, a power above the legitimate governments of the continent. Their time is passed,” said Mr Maduro.

The Venezuelan government decision was criticised by Amnesty International as “a serious setback for the rights of Venezuelans.”

‘Reinstate rights’

Opposition politician Ramon Jose Medina filed the request, signed by Mr Capriles, at the OAS headquarters.

The Venezuelan government “must be forced to reinstate the rights they violated,” said Mr Medina.

“The elections, which were fraudulent, must be repeated and the electoral process must be free and fair.”

Mr Maduro won the 14 April vote by less than 1.5 percentage points – about 200,000 votes.

Mr Chavez died on 5 March after a long battle against cancer.

Before going to Cuba for a last round of treatment in December, he appointed Mr Maduro as his preferred successor.

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Aug
10
2012
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Who’s Next Venezuela: The Final Potential Successor

Possible Leader of the Transition: José Vicente Rangel

jose vicente rangel Who’s Next Venezuela: The Final Potential Successor

Courtesy of: AVN

Although his age and recent absence from the political stage may eventually disqualify him, writer, leftist intellectual and former Venezuelan Vice President José Vicente Rangel has nonetheless found his name among those being considered as possible successors.

Rangel’s experience in politics goes back as far as 1948, when he was exiled for opposing the coup that overthrew President Rómulo Gallegos. He has spent his life in and out of politics, serving in Congress and running for president three times, in 1973, 1978, and 1983. Between his political forays he also worked as a journalist and lawyer.

Under Chávez, he has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, and even replaced Diosdado Cabello as Vice President in 2002, a position he held until 2007.

After five years out of the political world, Rangel again rose to prominence when he was named to Chávez’s six-member Council of State, along with Elias Jaua, in May. This is the same body that Chávez originally entrusted with removing Venezuela from the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The Council has still yet to be officially formed, inviting questions as to why Chávez announced it in the first place. Many speculate that it was intended to manage the internal transition of power in the event of Chávez’s death.

In the weeks after being named to the Council, Rangel assumed his role with gusto, repeating Chávez’s attacks on the IACHR and showing that he, even at age 83, still has the energy necessary for politics. The appointment also showed that Rangel remains one of Chávez’s closest confidantes. As an “elder statesman” of Venezuelan leftist politics, Rangel may be well-suited to quell fractiousness within the PSUV and manage any transition of power. Analysts suggest that Chávez will benefit from Rangel’s vast political experience and network of contacts, solidifying the theory that the president views Rangel as an invaluable advisor, and not a potential successor.

Rangel’s age and semi-retired status makes likelihood of him taking over Chávez’s job a long shot. If he does, it will certainly not be a permanent appointment. But considering his clout within the PSUV, and the vote of confidence Chávez recently gave him, we can be sure he will play a crucial role in a PSUV attempt to hold on to power after Chávez’s death.

 
Jul
27
2012
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/27/12

jp venezuela1 articleLarge In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/27/12

An aircraft burned in a drug raid in Apure State. Afterward, traffickers appeared to have reclaimed the airstrip for drug flights. (Courtesy of: Meridith Kohut for The New York Times)

Hugo Chávez is making good on his threat to remove Venezuela from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights after a recent ruling against his government. The action is just one more in a series – including allegedly plotting a coup in Paraguay and threatening the Spanish oil company Repsol – that have many analysts warning that Chávez is setting a dangerous precedent of radicalization in the region. With the elections just over two months away, Chavez’s government has dramatically increased spending and tightened its control of the media. Venezuelans continue to worry about the country’s high crime rate and investigations show that the drug trade continues unchecked. Meanwhile, Venezuelans remain uncertain about Chávez’s health and alleged recovery.

Hugo Chavez says Venezuela will pull out of regional human rights court, condemns decision, Washington Post

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that his government will pull out of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in protest after a ruling that he called a travesty.

Chávez a threat to the hemisphere, Miami Herald

During a recent interview on A Mano Limpia, hosted by Oscar Haza on WJAN-Channel 41 (Florida), President Obama declared that Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez has not posed “a serious” national security threat to the United States.

Paraguay prosecutor calls Lugo to testify in probe against Venezuelan foreign minister, Associated Press

Paraguay’s former President Fernando Lugo must testify in an investigation over alleged Venezuelan meddling during his impeachment, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Venezuela’s Chavez Threatens Repsol Over YPF Arbitration Case, Bloomberg

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez warned Repsol SA (REP) to “think carefully” about taking action against Argentina after it nationalized its YPF SA (YPFD) unit, indicating the Spanish company may face ramifications in Venezuela.

Facing election, Hugo Chávez ruthlessly consolidates his power, Washington Post

NOT FOR THE first time, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has declared himself cancer-free and ready to resume a full schedule.

Chavez says he won’t stop taking over airwaves, AP

President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that he will not stop seizing control of Venezuela’s airwaves to give his trademark marathon television and radio addresses despite complaints from his challenger that it gives him an unfair advantage during the country’s presidential election campaign.

Venezuela’s productivity problem, Foreign Policy

While much of the developed world is mired in sluggish growth or downright recession, a few days ago Venezuela came out with healthy GDP figures.

Me or your own eyes, The Economist

ÉDGAR TORRES, a toddler in the Venezuelan state of Aragua, was asleep in bed when a gang from up the hill came looking for his mother’s 16-year-old godson.

Cocaine’s Flow Is Unchecked in Venezuela, New York Times

The Venezuelan government has trumpeted one major blow after another against drug traffickers, showing off barrels of liquid cocaine seized, drug planes recovered, cocaine labs raided and airstrips destroyed.

Chávez’s allure, Venezuela’s disaster, Miami Herald

When Churchill was once asked about some aspect of the Soviet Union’s foreign policy, he made a memorable statement, tinged with humor: “It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”