PRINTING PRESS RAIDED, ANTI-REFORM MATERIAL SEIZED

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002071 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL VE SUBJECT: PRINTING PRESS RAIDED, ANTI-REFORM MATERIAL SEIZED REF: CARACAS 02062 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL LAWTON FOR REASON 1.4 (D) ¶1. (SBU) State Intelligence (DISIP) and Military Intelligence (DIM) police officials raided the Impresos Chirivel printing press in San Diego, Carabobo state October 23 in order to confiscate anti-constitutional reform promotional material. The seized goods, which read "No to constitutional reform," "We invite you to defend democracy," and "No to communism," were commissioned by the National Resistance Command (CNR), an opposition political movement. (Note: The CNR was one of the main organizers behind the demonstrations in May-June to protest the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's (BRV's) decision to shut down Radio Caracas Television. End Note.) ¶2. (SBU) The local press reported that intelligence police officials cited Article 21 of the Penal Procedural Code as the legal basis for the raid; however, the article referenced deals with protection against double jeopardy and appears unrelated to the case. Following the incident, two employees of the printing office and one customer were detained and transferred to DISIP headquarters. A computer belonging to the establishment was also allegedly confiscated. ¶3. (C) Poloff spoke to Carlos Gujon, regional leader of the CNR in Carabobo and Aragua states, October 24 regarding the incident. Gujon confirmed that DISIP and DIM officials raided the printing press, seized the CNR's promotional materials, and confiscated at least one computer and other equipment. Gujon stated that the owner of the printing store attempted to file charges against the intelligence police units but the public prosecutor's office refused to admit the case. According to Gujon, the DIM has opened up a case against the printing press' owner. ¶4. (U) This is the second incident of its kind in recent weeks. DIM personnel raided the offices of the printing press Graficas Madu September 11 in order to halt alleged "subversive activity" against President Chavez' constitutional reform package. The local press reported that DIM officials removed two computers and pamphlets, printed for opposition political party Un Nuevo Tiempo, from the establishment. The printing center is owned by the son of Rafael Poleo, editor of the opposition-oriented daily newspaper "El Nuevo Pais." ¶5. (C) Comment: The BRV is resorting to seemingly illegal methods in order to harass opposition groups promoting the "No" vote in the upcoming constitutional amendment referendum. Coincidentally, the raids come on the heels of National Electoral Council's (CNE) October 23 announcement that it intends to further "regulate" radio and television promotional spots relating to the reform campaign (reftel). As the formal reform campaign period approaches, it is likely that BRV dependencies will continue to work closely to minimize citizen exposure to anti-reform messages. FRENCH