Political Agony Aunt gets it horribly wrong! El Nacional apologies

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 14, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

El Nacional newspaper has officially apologized to Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) president, Ali Rodriguez Araque for a report involving his deceased son in alleged illegal business deals.

Rabid anti-Chavist columnist, Ibeyise Pacheco wrote a piece on February 14 accusing Rodriguez and his son, Ali Rodriguez Garaton of shady gasoline distribution deals.

El Nacional CEO Manuel Sucre admits that the piece was not accurate or truthful but defends the top bracket journalist, pointing to her correction of the error in her February 28 column.

The mistake is attributed to one of Pacheco’s sources but Sucre insists that El Nacional's editorial policy is not to damage reputations or the memory of the deceased.

“We ratify our apologies to the family and reiterate our disposition to publish any reply from Dr. Ali Rodriguez Araque and members of his family.”