OPPOSITION LEADER DETAINED AT AIRPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002286 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER VE SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER DETAINED AT AIRPORT Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ABELARDO A. ARIAS FOR REASONS 1.4 (d ) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Venezuelan National Guard and Intelligence Services (DISIP) officers temporarily detained Tulio Alvarez_, the head of the opposition group Verdad Venezuela, at the airport in Maracaibo July 27 as he was departing for Caracas. Minister of the Interior Jesse Chacon claimed that security forces stopped Alvarez_ because he was traveling in a stolen car and carrying arms illegally. Alvarez_ denied the charges and alleged that he had been followed by state security forces during his visit to the region. He accused Chacon of harassment, and the GOV of persecuting members of the opposition to stifle political resistance. End summary. ¶2. (U) A combined force of fourteen National Guard and DISIP agents detained Tulio Alvarez_, the head of the opposition group Verdad Venezuela, at the airport in Maracaibo July 27, according to press reports. Minister of the Interior Chacon told reporters security forces stopped Alvarez_ because he was traveling in a car listed as stolen in police systems and carrying arms illegally. The local Commander of the National Guard, General Castor Perez Leal, reiterated Chacon's claims and called the detention routine. Perez said that after security forces stopped the car, they received information from the DISIP that Alvarez_ was armed and proceeded to attempt to conduct an inspection, however, Alvarez_ refused to cooperate. ¶3. (U) Alvarez_ told reporters that he refused to open his luggage or be taken to the National Guard's offices for an interrogation without the presence of a prosecutor. It is no coincidence, he said, that security forces were waiting to detain him at the airport. He alleged he had been followed by security forces during all his visit to Zulia State and that hotel personnel had informed him about suspicious inquiries as to when he was leaving for the airport. During some of his detention, Alvarez_ spoke live, on the air to Caracas' largest radio station. ¶4. (C) Alvarez_ sent a more detailed description of security force harassment to the Embassy as a precaution the morning of July 27 prior to his detainment at the airport. He said he was followed to his meetings July 26, and that when he arrived back at his hotel, hotel personnel told him a bell boy had been asked by unidentified men whether he had arrived for the night yet. On the morning of July 27, someone claiming to work in the hotel reception called to ask when he needed a taxi to the airport, however when he went down to the reception area, hotel personnel working reception told him they had not called. He ended his note saying "I am sending this message so that (you) will know what is happening, but do not make it public. This is simply a precaution. They are hunting me." ¶5. (C) Alvarez_ connected his alleged persecution in Zulia with the GOV's treatment of opposition forces in Venezuela declaring to the press that "It is the way this regime harasses people who oppose it politically." He called upon Minister of the Interior Chacon to cease his efforts to stifle Alvarez_'s work as the head of Verdad Venezuela. Alvarez_ told PolCouns July 28 that he was convinced that the authorities were prepared to plant weapons on him. "That's why I raised such a fuss," he said. Alavarez said the present interest in him is related more to what he saw during this trip to the Venezuelan side of the Perija mountain range. He said that in his political meetings participants gave him precise information about which ranches the FARC is using and details about the logistical network. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Tulio Alvarez_'s arbitrary detention and harassment during his trip to Zulia State clearly signal that the GOV is not going to give the opposition free rein. Alvarez_ has been traveling regularly for months in the provinces with an anti-GOV message, and has faced some harassment, but this is the first time the security forces have acted blatantly. With the appeal of his conviction for defaming MVR National Assembly deputy William Lara still pending, Alvarez_ is likely to face further harassment. Brownfield NNNN 2005CARACA02286 - CONFIDENTIAL