Puppet protest
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who threatens political opponents and represses the press, now feels threatened by a puppet show at the U.S. Embassy.
Vice President Jose Vincente Rangel, in a news conference yesterday, denounced U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro, who hosted a reception Tuesday for International Press Freedom Day where he criticized government intimidation of the Venezuelan press.
However, a hand puppet in a red beret, Mr. Chavez' trademark, is what really upset the government. A male comedian dressed as the popular female broadcaster Marta Colomina performed on stage with the puppet.
"What we have here is an irresponsible U.S. ambassador," Mr. Rangel told reporters in the capital, Caracas.
News reports said he called the puppet show a sign of provocation from the Bush administration, which has been highly critical of the left-wing Mr. Chavez.
One diplomat said the comedian embarrassed Mr. Shapiro, who did not know in advance that the performer would ridicule Mr. Chavez.
The embassy would not reply to Mr. Rangel but referred reporters to the ambassador's remarks posted on the embassy Web site, embajadausa.org.ve.
"The situation in Venezuela is worrisome," Mr. Shapiro said, referring to attacks on 80 reporters in the past year. Some were attacked with guns and knives, he said.
"The people responsible for these attacks have yet to be identified," he said. "There is no excuse to justify violence against reporters, editors or owners. ...
"Freedom of the press in Venezuela has deteriorated over the past year and it is everyone's responsibility to guarantee that the situation be remedied."
Mr. Shapiro conceded that he had been upset with the Venezuelan press when it criticized the United States without seeking comment from the embassy.
However, he added, "You cannot allow debate and criticism to become mechanisms of pressure or intimidation."
• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.