Government grants CTV's Carlos Ortega safe conduct to Costa Rican exile 

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela Electronic News Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

The Venezuelan government has agreed to grant safe conduct for Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) president Carlos Ortega who is now free to head for Costa Rica, who have granted his application for exile.

Although it is not yet clear when Ortega will leave the country, it will be a boost for President Hugo Chavez Frias and his government as the CTV chief was one of the key leaders of the two month long opposition work stoppage which brought the Venezuelan economy to its knees.

Ortega went into hiding shortly after Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez was arrested on charges of treason, as a similar warrant was issued for his arrest.

Fernandez has since been ordered released from house arrest, but the government is in the process of issuing fresh charges against Ortega's fellow strike leader.