"Justice is being used as a political weapon"

"There must be room in politics to allow for healthy, proactive criticism in order to move forward" (File Photo: Oswer Díaz Mireles)

Politics The situation of justice in Venezuela gives raise to extensive speeches and in-depth analyses. However, José Albornoz, the secretary-general of pro-government political Patria para Todos party, summed up his feeling in two words: "distressing concern."

Albornoz did not speak up for the opposition members who are chased for political reasons. He has his own casualties in the "revolution battlefield." The first one is Carlos Chancellor, elected on November 23rd, 2008, as the mayor of Sifontes municipality, southern Bolívar state. "Chancellor has been detained for more than two years because he closed a road while protesting, together with indigenous people and miners, against transnational Crystallex," he reported.

The second vice-president of the National Assembly (AN) has requested the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the Attorney General Office information about this case. Both agencies have replied similarly: "Nobody knows what is going on."

Now, it was the turn of a usual suspect: Eduardo Manuitt. "Here, we can see a significant political bias. (Alberto) Müller Rojas, the first vice-president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), promised in the midst of the election campaign to dust off all the old case files against Manuitt because he should be behind bars. The area had been called," he said.

Like major opposition leader and ex Maracaibo mayor Manuel Rosales, the former Guárico state governor has been accused of corruption. Like Rosales, the former leader of PPT and PSUV does not trust the Venezuelan judiciary and has claimed that his rights are being violated. Like Rosales, Manuitt resolved to leave the country. Nevertheless, Albornoz clarified that his ally is not like the Maracaibo mayor.

"Manuitt faces charges for a case filed in 1999, which was investigated and closed by the Comptroller General Office, the judicial police and the National Assembly (AN). Rosales was issued a bench warrant for his failure to appear in court. Manuitt, instead, was imposed that measure before issuing a judgment. This is outrageous, a juridical onslaught," said the deputy. Upon looking at the whole picture, he found: "There is a systematic campaign against PPT."

Beyond any differences in form, suits against Rosales and Manuitt seemingly coincide in the essence –invoicing to President Hugo Chávez's political foes.

There must be room in politics to allow for healthy, proactive criticism in order to move forward. We had differences in the electoral process and I think this was understood by President Hugo Chávez, who later called us for the amendment and took into consideration our proposal on re-election for all public incumbencies.

Like Rosales, Manuitt argued that the Venezuelan judiciary is used as a political weapon for retaliation. Do you agree?

This time, I think so. A clear difference should be made with Rosales. This is an old case. However, I will not defend or condemn Rosales in order not to contaminate our remark about what we are going through. In the case of Manuitt, there is juridical outrage and this does not help the process (the current government). Time will come when any decision taken will be regarded as not in accordance with law, but as political retaliation. A revolution should not do that.

The view of Lenny Manuitt, begging for her father, reminded us of the daughters and mothers of the former Metropolitan Police chiefs and agents, who were sentenced to 30 years in prison.

I think that Lenny Manuitt will be the next victim. In Guárico state, they are already finding the way to bar her from office. The remarks made by the virtual Guárico governor show it this way. Mr. Governor has not devoted himself to govern. What has been done in that state, after the elections, has been done as instructed by the president; from Caracas and together with the national bodies. The governor has embarked upon chasing and striking a blow against PPT militants.

What is your opinion about the judiciary?

Distressing concern. Some cases have been seen that need insight.

Translated by Conchita Delgado