Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS1422
2008-10-07 22:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
how-toVZCZCXRO0649 OO RUEHAG RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHROV RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHCV #1422 2812216 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 072216Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1947 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001422
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/OTI(RPORTER)
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: GENERAL BADUEL ARRESTED
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001422
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/OTI(RPORTER)
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: GENERAL BADUEL ARRESTED
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Agents of the Directorate of Military Intelligence
(DIM),on October 3 unceremoniously pulled former Defense
Minister General Raul Baduel off of the city streets of
Maracay. General Ernesto Cedeno of the Judge Advocate
General told the press that Baduel had to account for 31
billion BsF (USD 14.4 billion equivalent) and that DIM was
merely executing a "transfer order" to a military courtroom
approximately two hours away in Caracas. According to
Baduel's lawyer, Rafael Tosta, the retired general was
charged with misappropriation of funds and released with the
prohibition of leaving the country, refraining from speaking
to the media, and the requirement to appear before a military
court every 15 days. Following his release later the same
day, Baduel said he was prepared to "clear everything up,"
adding that the rough and public manner of his arrest
wouldn't divert attention from the suitcase trial in Miami.
2. (SBU) A broad spectrum of opposition groups and
opinion-makers quickly criticized Baduel's arrest. Monsignor
Baltazar Porras, the Archbishop of Merida, called Baduel's
rough arrest "at the edge of human rights." PODEMOS party
leader Ismael Garcia indicated Baduel's arrest a "another
provocation," and claimed the BRV, fearing a big loss in the
November elections, "want to intimidate the population."
Opposition cable news station Globovision played a video of
Baduel's arrest in heavy rotation.
3. (C) According to retired VADM Mario Ivan Carratu Molina
(Protect),it was not secret that Baduel, like previous ARMY
commanders had enriched himself. Carratu claimed that Baduel
had ignored several earlier summons to appear before a
military court. According to Carratu, the arrest is
political because Baduel knows about too many skeletons in
Chavez' closet.
4. (C) Comment: The BRV appears to be sending Baduel a
message that he is also vulnerable to corruption charges and
should keep a low profile in the run-up to November state and
local elections. Baduel played a crucial role in the
December 2007 referendum, but since then has kept a lower
profile. He has recently begun to speak out publicly again,
which likely prompted the BRV to take action. End Comment.
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/OTI(RPORTER)
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: GENERAL BADUEL ARRESTED
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Agents of the Directorate of Military Intelligence
(DIM),on October 3 unceremoniously pulled former Defense
Minister General Raul Baduel off of the city streets of
Maracay. General Ernesto Cedeno of the Judge Advocate
General told the press that Baduel had to account for 31
billion BsF (USD 14.4 billion equivalent) and that DIM was
merely executing a "transfer order" to a military courtroom
approximately two hours away in Caracas. According to
Baduel's lawyer, Rafael Tosta, the retired general was
charged with misappropriation of funds and released with the
prohibition of leaving the country, refraining from speaking
to the media, and the requirement to appear before a military
court every 15 days. Following his release later the same
day, Baduel said he was prepared to "clear everything up,"
adding that the rough and public manner of his arrest
wouldn't divert attention from the suitcase trial in Miami.
2. (SBU) A broad spectrum of opposition groups and
opinion-makers quickly criticized Baduel's arrest. Monsignor
Baltazar Porras, the Archbishop of Merida, called Baduel's
rough arrest "at the edge of human rights." PODEMOS party
leader Ismael Garcia indicated Baduel's arrest a "another
provocation," and claimed the BRV, fearing a big loss in the
November elections, "want to intimidate the population."
Opposition cable news station Globovision played a video of
Baduel's arrest in heavy rotation.
3. (C) According to retired VADM Mario Ivan Carratu Molina
(Protect),it was not secret that Baduel, like previous ARMY
commanders had enriched himself. Carratu claimed that Baduel
had ignored several earlier summons to appear before a
military court. According to Carratu, the arrest is
political because Baduel knows about too many skeletons in
Chavez' closet.
4. (C) Comment: The BRV appears to be sending Baduel a
message that he is also vulnerable to corruption charges and
should keep a low profile in the run-up to November state and
local elections. Baduel played a crucial role in the
December 2007 referendum, but since then has kept a lower
profile. He has recently begun to speak out publicly again,
which likely prompted the BRV to take action. End Comment.
CAULFIELD