Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CARACAS2388
2007-12-21 19:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

CHAVISTA GOVERNOR LEADS PROTEST AT U.S. EMBASSY

Tags:  PREL ASEC PGOV VE 
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VZCZCXRO8329
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHCV #2388 3551945
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211945Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0345
INFO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002388 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2017
TAGS: PREL ASEC PGOV VE
SUBJECT: CHAVISTA GOVERNOR LEADS PROTEST AT U.S. EMBASSY


Classified By: Robert Downes, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4 (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002388

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2017
TAGS: PREL ASEC PGOV VE
SUBJECT: CHAVISTA GOVERNOR LEADS PROTEST AT U.S. EMBASSY


Classified By: Robert Downes, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4 (D).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Cojedes State Governor Jhonny Yanez
Rangel led a small and peaceful protest on December 20 in
front of the U.S. Embassy against the arrest of three
Venezuelans implicated in the Antonini "valijagate" case.
Governor Rangel held a press conference outside the mission
and read aloud his "Chronology of Terror" regarding the
arrested Venezuelans. After presenting a protest letter to
the PAO, Rangel, his roughly 250 fellow protesters, and the
media departed. The peaceful protest appeared as either a
side-bar or was incorporated into coverage of the Antonini
trial in most major media the following day. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Venezuelan Governor Jhonny Yanez Rangel led a
caravan of approximately 80 vehicles and 250 persons to the
U.S. Embassy at about 1:00 p.m. on December 20. Rangel and
his supporters said they were protesting the arrest of three
Venezuelans accused of acting illegally as unregistered
foreign agents in the Antonini "valijagate" case. They also
claimed to be defending "the honor and sovereignty of
Venezuela and Argentina." Rangel read to the media present
his document, "Chronology of Terror, a little Guantanamo in
Miami," as well as a letter to Ambassador Duddy. Both items
were faxed to the Venezuelan desk.


3. (SBU) The letter called on the United States to respect
the leadership, self-determination and integration of Latin
America; cease the campaign of judicial terrorism against
legitimate Venezuelan businessmen; cease the media attacks
against himself, his wife and daughters. (Note: Rangel told
the media that he objects to the wide media circulation of a
photograph of Antonini with Governor Rangel taken at the
Alternative Energies Summit in Uruguay in 2006. Rangel
argues that such photos are part of USG efforts to connect
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela officials to Antonini. End
Note). After presenting his documents to PAO, Rangel
answered additional questions from the press and the crowd
peacefully dispersed.


4. (SBU) In addition to live press coverage, news of Rangel's
protest appeared in most December 21 editions of local
newspapers as either a side-bar or incorporated into broader
coverage of the hearings in Miami. The local media gave wide
coverage to the Ambassador's December 20 comment, made during
a charity event at a local hospital, that the trials were
"purely judicial."


5. (C) Comment. Cojedes Governor Rangel is an ardent Chavista
from a strongly pro-Chavez state in western Venezuela. In
2006, 73% of Cojedes voters voted for Chavez; 61% voted for
Chavez' constitutional reforms. He is likely carrying water
for President Chavez rather than responding to any real
political fallout in his state. Rangel notified the Embassy
in writing of his planned protest the day before and made
good on his pledge to keep the event peaceful. End Comment.

DUDDY