Tarek William Saab, the People’s Defender, spoke with Jose Vicente Rangel on his show, Jose Vicente Hoy, on a variety of topics, including the accusation that the Venezuelan government has engaged in systemic human rights abuses. Saab said that while human rights abuses have taken place, they are not the result of systemic failures:
I don’t deny that human rights violations exist. What I’ve said is that they’ve happened, but [not as a result] of an institutional policy by the state (…) the issue of human rights is sacred and delicate, and it shouldn’t be used to damage the Venezuelan nation.
Saab criticized those who have brought the issue of human rights violations in Venezuela to the forefront of international organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations and the Organization of American States, saying:
Using the issue of human rights as a weapon for international political attacks as a means to discredit our nation — at the end of the day, it’s a struggle for oil (…) the issue of human rights is being manipulated.
Bolipuertos Case Heats Up
Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz confirmed that she had ordered the arrest of former Minister of Sea and Air Transport Herbert Garcia Plaza over his alleged role in the purchase of Spanish ferries.
Plaza is accused of embezzling $54 million through the purchase of three ferries from Spain in 2013.
Henrique Capriles used the example of the embezzlement charge to highlight what he believes to be the endemic PSUV corruption:
Every day the lid is lifted on another case of corruption involving representatives of the national government.
Plaza is not currently in Venezuela.
Ledezma Recovering After Surgery
Antonio Ledezma underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia today. The operation lasted more than two hours, and Ledezma’s surgeon, Jose Luis Mora, said that his patient “could not be better”.
Ledezma was granted permission to leave the Ramo Verde military prison two days ago so that he could undergo the medical procedure in a hospital. Along with the order to temporarily release Ledezma, a Caracas judge granted him house arrest to allow him to recover from the surgery at home.
On Ledezma’s anticipated recovery, Dr. Mora said:
Depending on how things proceed, he could be under observation for 48-72 hours. The estimated time for recovery is 30 days. Once he’s released [from hospital], he should be at home. We have to remember that we’ve placed a mesh on him, and jail does not offer the ideal conditions to avoid infection. Whenever needed, I will travel to his home to conduct the necessary checks.
Mision Vivienda Shooting Leaves 10 Dead
A shooting in a Mision Vivienda subsidized housing complex in Ocumare del Tuy – south of Caracas – left ten people dead this morning. The apartment complex is called Lomas de Guadalupe.
The shooting happened at around 5:00 AM this morning when an unknown number of assailants opened fire on partygoers who had congregated in a hallway in the building’s first floor. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 49.
In Venezuela 