Defiant CTV union boss Carlos Ortega flies off to exile in Costa Rica

Posted: Friday, March 28, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV)  president, Carlos Ortega has left Venezuela for exile in the Central American country of Costa Rica.  After 13 days holed up at the Costa Rican Embassy in Caracas, Ortega finally received  a safe-conduct  (salvoconducto) from the Venezuelan government and left a written message addressed to his opposition colleagues. 

"The struggle continues!" defiant Ortega writes "we will defeat the tyrant and his accomplices sooner than later." 

Ortega says criminal sycophants made real threats against his life to curry favor with their boss, President Chavez Frias.  Escorted by State Political & Security (DISIP) Police and the Costa Rican Ambassador, Ortega left the Embassy for Simon Bolivar international airport at Maiquetia. 

Ortega has been charged with rebellion and instigating criminal acts during the December-January national stoppage which he led and directed. 

CTV executive, Pablo Castro has ruled out rumors that Ortega will take up residence in the house of former Costa Rican President, Luis Alberto Monge, neighbor to former Venezuelan President Jaime Lusinchi, now in Miami. "There is a possibility that the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions  (ICFTU) will provide a house."