The “Cubanization” of U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela
By Jake Johnston, Center for Economic & Policy Research, 26 March 2014
Venezuelan opposition politicians and their allies in the U.S. frequently decry Cuba’s alleged influence on the Venezuelan government. Ironically however, there seems to be an important and growing nexus between the Venezuelan opposition and the anti-Cuba lobby in the U.S. Cuban-American lawmakers recently introduced sanctions legislation targeting Venezuelan officials that appears to be designed to push U.S. policy toward Venezuela in the same direction as policy toward Cuba.
Venezuelan Human Rights Council Created
By Ryan Mallett-Outrimm, Venezuelanalysis.com April 4, 2014
A council to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in recent disturbances has been created by Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Maduro signed a presidential decree creating the National Council for Human Rights in the presidential palace on Thursday.
The council will function as a “coordinating body to support and encourage...public policies aimed at guaranteeing the free exercise of human rights and their protection and preservation,” according to the president.
Venezuela's military admits excesses during deadly protests
The military's strategic command chief, Vladimir Padrino, said they were investigating 97 officers and police staff for "cruelty and torture". But the general stressed these were less than 1% of all officers.
Security forces have been accused of human rights abuse during the almost daily anti-government protests. "We are able to say that 97 (officers) are being investigated by prosecutors for cruelty, for torture," Gen Padrino said. "That represents only 0.4% of the force," he told Venevision television.
The protests have left at least 41 people killed and hundreds more injured on both sides. The Venezuelan opposition and human rights activists accuse the security forces of repression and using heavy-handed tactics. Students make a performance to protest against military repression, on April 12, 2014. There have been protests in Venezuela against the military's handing of the political unrest
But Vladimir Padrino insisted the security forces were acting "in accordance with the rule of law". "No soldiers have received orders to hurt anyone, harass or end the life of a Venezuelan," he said.
On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met opposition leaders in crisis talks aimed at quelling more than two months of protests. The demonstrations began over high levels of crime, rising inflation and shortages of basic foods, but have since grown into a wide opposition movement. Venezuela remains sharply divided between supporters and opponents of Mr Maduro, who narrowly beat his bitter rival, opposition leader Henrique Capriles to the presidency last year.
Venezuelan Ombudswoman Accuses "NGOs" of “False” Reports
By Ryan Mallet-Outtrim, Venezuelanalysis.com, March 22, 2014.
According to Ramirez, non-government organizations have been part of a campaign of “attacks” on Venezuela. “A few NGOs have forged reports against our institution with false information,” Ramirez tweeted on Monday. Since last month Venezuela has come under renewed criticism from international human rights monitors.