Ignored opposition march in defense of CTV and Fedecamaras leaders

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Mainstream print & broadcast media have been playing down yesterday's Coordinadora Democratica (CD) march in support of fugitive Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) president, Carlos Ortega and Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez currently under house arrest.

Although the opposition has been slow to supply march estimates, the size of the march was lower than organizers expected.

Starting from Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) HQ in Chuao, anti-government supporters marched to Fedecamaras HQ where they were addressed by  the business sector deputy president, Albis Munoz and former Fedecamaras presidents.

The march avoided clashing with government supporters holed up at PDVSA offices in La Campina and ended in front of the CTV HQ where CTV general secretary, Manuel Cova accused the government of political ly persecuting Carlos Ortega ... calling Carlos Fernandez and rebel National Guard (GN) General Carlos Alfonzo Martinez “political prisoners.”

• Among politicos heading the march were Miranda State Governor and potential presidential candidate Enrique Mendoza, Enrique Naime, Cesar Perez Vivas, Alfredo Ramos, Rafael Narvaez, and Antonio Ledezma.

Former Libertador Mayor Ledezma challenged other opposition leaders, who did not turn up for the march, to get back out on to the streets and fight with “El Pueblo” and urged wannabe presidential candidates to drop their aspirations for a greater cause, namely opposition unity.