CTV says government using institutions to "cut the heads off" Venezuelan opposition

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 By: David Coleman

Rebel Confederation of Venezuelan Trade Unions (CTV) secretary general Manual Cova says the Chavez Frias government is continuing to use the Judiciary and the Official Ombudsman's Office in an effort to "cut the heads off" the Venezuelan opposition.

Cova says he has certain information that there have been attempts made against the life and physical well-being of CTV president Carlos Ortega ... "that's why we are making a formal accusation in public."

CTV Ortega remains in hiding, fugitive from a legal court order to appear to answer criminal charges over his leading role in a 2-month national stoppage aimed at crippling the Venezuelan economy and to force democratically-elected President Hugo Chavez Frias from office.  It is believed that Cova may already have fled the country.

Cova, however, says that the Chavez Frias government is attempting to create a climate of intimidation of opposition leaders to prevent them from continuing to lead the political movement.  He says the CTV is gaining the support of trade union organizations in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, the United States, Chile and Brazil to define ways out of the current political crisis in Venezuela.