Venezuelan Strike Leader Leaves for Asylum in Costa Rica

<a href=www.voanews.com>VOA News 27 Mar 2003, 21:49 UTC

Venezuelan labor and strike leader Carlos Ortega has left for asylum in Costa Rica, two weeks after taking refuge at its embassy in Caracas.

The opposition leader boarded a plane for San Jose Thursday after heavily-armed police escorted him from the diplomatic mission. His departure came one day after the Venezuelan government agreed to allow him to leave the country.

Mr. Ortega was one of the organizers of Venezuela's two-month general strike that failed in its bid to force President Hugo Chavez to resign and call early elections.

He went into hiding last month after the Venezuelan government sought his arrest on treason and rebellion charges for his role in the strike. Mr. Ortega later took refuge at the Costa Rican Embassy, saying he feared for his safety.

Mr. Ortega is the third major opponent of President Chavez to seek asylum. Last year, Colombia granted asylum to business leader Pedro Carmona - who briefly replaced Mr. Chavez during last April's failed coup against the populist president.

El Salvador granted asylum to retired naval officer Carlos Molina, who faced an investigation for his role in the coup.