Venezuelan Opposition Leader May Seek Political Asylum

www.voanews.com VOA News 17 Mar 2003, 20:06 UTC

A Venezuelan opposition leader who faces treason charges for organizing an anti-government strike may seek asylum in Costa Rica or another country.

Carlos Ortega was granted diplomatic immunity by Costa Rica Friday when he took refuge at the Costa Rican embassy in Caracas.

Quoted in local media Monday, his lawyers say he may apply for territorial asylum elsewhere.

Mr. Ortega, who heads Venezuela's largest labor union, went into hiding in late February after Venezuela issued a warrant for his arrest on charges stemming from the two-month strike.

Another strike leader, Carlos Fernandez, is under house arrest on charges related to the work stoppage aimed at ousting President Hugo Chavez.