VENEZUELA MAYOR RELEASE AGAIN DENIED

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002539

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
HQ USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
USAID DCHA/OTI FOR RPORTER
LIMA ALSO FOR WHA A/S NORIEGA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2014
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA MAYOR RELEASE AGAIN DENIED


Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ABELARDO A. ARIAS FOR REASONS 1.5 (d
)


1. (U) Caracas Control Judge Leon Villanueva rejected a
defense motion to release jailed Baruta Mayor Henrique
Capriles on August 4. Villanueva was assigned the case when
an Appeals Court ruled the case be reassigned and defense
motions considered again. Villanueva scheduled a hearing for
August 17 to decide if the prosecution has sufficient
evidence to assign the case to a trial judge. At that time
Villanueva will decide if Capriles should remain in jail
throughout the trial.


2. (C) Jose Octavio Carrillo, a member of the Capriles
defense team, told PolOff August 5, that the judge's decision
was disappointing, and indicated that Villanueva was unlikely
to rule in favor of Capriles on August 17, unless Chavez were
revoked on August 15.
Shapiro


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2004CARACA02539 - CONFIDENTIAL