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