President Hugo Chavez Frias lauds arrest of Carlos Fernandez

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, February 21, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

President Hugo Chavez Frias says he is very pleased with the arrest of Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez the DISIP security police has carried out and is calling for other magistrates to issue similar arrest orders against other leaders of the two month work stoppage that began on December 2 before being called off in all sectors except the petroleum industry, with thousands of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) workers still striking, although most of whom have now been fired.

• "One of the coup-plotters was arrested last night, it was about time, and see how the others are now running to hide!"

The President then called for similar arrests, telling magistrates "don't be afraid to issue arrest warrants against other coup-plotters."

As for the Fernandez' arrest, the President said that when he heard the news late in the evening "I went to bed with a smile."