Venezuelan activist re-emerges in Miami
<a href=www.sun-sentinel.com>REFERENCE By Sandra Hernandez Staff Writer Posted March 28 2003
MIAMI · Only a few weeks ago, Juan Fernández was a wanted man forced to go underground to escape Venezuelan authorities who sought the former oil executive for a slew of alleged crimes, including rebellion.
But on Thursday, Fernández re-emerged in Miami wearing a blue suit and sounding like the familiar voice that helped lead a two-month strike that paralyzed the South American nation's oil industry and crippled its already shaky economy.
"We are calling for a referendum vote," Fernández, 47, said at a news conference at a Miami law office. "The problem with the strike is we don't have a rational person in charge of the country. If you see thousands of people are on the street clamoring for a solution what you expect is the head of that country would do something to alleviate the problem. Instead, Mr. Chávez did nothing and said I don't care."
President Hugo Chávez is a former paratrooper who helped lead a failed 1992 coup attempt. He was elected by an overwhelming majority of the country's poor voters. While his support has waned among the middle class he maintains a significant base of support among the poor.
Fernández, along with Carlos Ortega and Carlos Fernández led the strike that shut down much of the country and nearly all of the country's oil production. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves outside the Middle East and is a key supplier of crude to the United States.
These days, however, Juan Fernández is the only one of the three leaders whose name is tossed around as a possible presidential candidate. He is the only former strike leader not wanted for alleged crimes in Venezuela. Earlier this month a judge struck down the arrest warrant alleging rebellion. Chávez's government accused Fernández of damaging the country's fuel supply.
Carlos Fernández, head of the country's largest business association, is under house arrest pending a hearing for rebellion. Carlos Ortega, a labor leader, was recently granted political asylum in Costa Rica.
Juan Fernández is in South Florida hoping to drum up support for a referendum vote. Opposition members say the vote is a democratic way to remove Chávez.
Fernández acknowledged the opposition team headed by a group called the Cordinadora Democratica, or Democratic Coordinator, had fallen victim to infighting that resulted in deep splits.
Until now the group, which included members of various opposition political parties, was the main body that met with government representatives and the Organization of American States.
But on Thursday, Fernández said changes were in the works. "I don't know if we will still have the coordinator as the franchise for the opposition. What we will have is a strong opposition first, in order to achieve the referendum."
Fernández said he would remain in South Florida for a few days but is afraid of returning to Venezuela.
"I know the government is appealing the case and I'm afraid," he said.
He insists the opposition has not lost credibility with Venezuelans, many of whom are struggling to recuperate from the economic damage caused by the strike.
Fernández called on the United States to take a strong role were both sides to agree on an August date for the referendum vote.
"We need the international community, especially the United States to narrate and ensure we have elections and they are held with transparency," Fernández said.
Fernández is the latest opposition member to appear in South Florida. In January, Carlos Ortega attended a rally at Calle Ocho calling for Chávez's ouster.
Sandra Hernandez can be reached at shernandez@sun-sentinel.com or 954 385 7923.