Murder charges against Venezuela opposition leader dropped

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Venezuelan prosecutors dropped the most serious charges against opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, whom the country's government blames for inciting clashes that have left at least five people dead.

Lopez, one of the leading opposition figures in Venezuela, was formally charged with arson and conspiracy, but murder and terrorism charges were dropped, said his attorney, Juan Carlos Gutierrez.

If convicted, Lopez could face up to 10 years in prison.

Lopez's legal team welcomed the reduced charges, though it criticized the way the judicial process was being carried out.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-protests/

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Pretty abrupt change in the indictment. I'd hate to think the original charges were politically motivated...

[MADem]

1. Of course they were politically motivated.

I wouldn't be surprised if Maduro takes a powder soon--and he may be pushed out by someone on the left, not the right.

[another_liberal]

2. This is an very smart move on the part of the Maduro government.

Now Mr. Lopez has his future liberty in his own hands, and the government has not created a martyr by keeping an opposition leader in prison.

Here is a link to a fascinating opinion piece which appeared in the Guardian on Tuesday. The author raises some salient points concerning the Venezuelan situation and America's influence on the events taking place there:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/18/venezuela-protests-us-support-regime-change-mistake

[SamKnause]

3. Venezuela

America's Influence=Intentional Interference Financially Backed

My brother and I were just discussing Venezuela and Kiev.

[another_liberal]

5. I agree with your opinion of the situation.

See also the article I linked to above. The author has some good insights in regard to America's involvement.

[joshcryer]

4. They can still jail him for 10 years.

He's not being released.

I find it funny you link an article where Mark Weisbrot says that Maduro's government shouldn't take Lopez' bait.

They did.

[another_liberal]

6. I disagree with him on this point.

I still believe releasing Lopez was the smartest thing for the Maduro government to do at this point in the situation.

[springchick]

9. He hasn't been released, he's still being held.

[another_liberal]

10. But surly if charges have been dropped . . .

They can't continue to hold the man?

[springchick]

12. They only dropped the murder and terror charges,

they're still holding him on arson and conspiracy.

[another_liberal]

13. I see.

That does complicate things. Maduro would be well advised to drop all charges against him, if that is indeed within his powers as Venezuela's President.

BTW: Welcome to DU!

[springchick]

14. I'm not sure if that's within his power,

I think that would be up to the prosecutor. It would take some of the wind out of the oppositions sail.
Thanks for the welcome.

[fasttense]

7. Our Tax dollars at work turning Venezuela into another Pinochet Chile

It's amazing what our tax dollars can do to another country.

There is a line item in Obama's budget to fund opposition parties in Venezuela. We are creating havoc in Venezuela.

Leopoldo Lopez and his US funded party lost the election big time and can never get elected because of his elitist background. He is a member of the 1% and was educated at Harvard. So, now he wants to illegally gain the presidential position with the help of the Obama administration and OUR TAX DOLLARS.

Why Obama hates the socialist government of Venezuela is obvious. Don't be fooled by the propaganda. Democracy Now has an excellent piece on this. http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/20/venezuelan_protests_another_attempt_by_us

[dotymed]

8. Thank God for real journalism and Democracy Now.

[another_liberal]

11. Good link, fasttense.

I heard that Democracy Now interview with Professor Ciccariello-Maher when it was broadcast yesterday. It's an excellent, alternative overview of the situation.

[Judi Lynn]

17. What we get from corporate media is the alternative to the truth regarding Latin America. n/t

[another_liberal]

18. It's all about the money to be made . . .

That is my understanding of the situation as well. It is all about the money to be made from maintaining a tight, imperial control over Latin America in general. Those like Maduro, Morales, and Correa who try to liberate or keep their countries and their peoples free are brave, indeed. Those who dare report their stories to the World must have courage as well.

The super wealthy elites are completely capable of not only raping the land and destroying cultures of Latin America for a profit, they are also more than willing to destroy individuals who stand in the way.

[sabrina 1]

15. Thanks for the link, fasttense, just saw this thread and your link. Of course we are financing

the destabilizing of a government that won't hand over Vz's resources to the Global Cartels. Why does ANY Democrat support the right wing thugs in that region of the world. That was an awakening for me regarding our two parties. That I was naive enough after the Bush backed 2002 attempted coup to think that it was just Right Wing Republicans who were behind the Right Wingers there.

I have not heard any Democrat oppose what we are doing there. Not since they succeeded in getting rid of the few who supported the Chavez Government, Cynthia McKinney eg and one or two others. Clearly there are policies that will not change in this country no matter who we elect, they are Corporate policies and neither party is allowed to deviate from the old Reagan policies on Latin America.

[Judi Lynn]

16. Tremendous article. So worth reading. Excellent. n/t