Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS1070
2009-08-14 16:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
PETTY POLITICS SURFACE DURING HEAVY RAINS
how-toVZCZCXRO2859 PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHCV #1070 2261647 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141647Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3557 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 001070
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: PETTY POLITICS SURFACE DURING HEAVY RAINS
REF: CARACAS 1013
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001070
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: PETTY POLITICS SURFACE DURING HEAVY RAINS
REF: CARACAS 1013
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
1. (U) A torrential downpour in Caracas on August 12,
flooded roads, closed highways and muddied Chavista
credibility. While Globovision, the last remaining
opposition television broadcaster showed cars in water up to
their windows, Jacqueline Farias, Chavez's appointed Chief of
Government for the Capital District was telling state-run VTV
that were no landslides or floods thanks to her stormdrain
maintenance plan. Farias went even further and accused some
media of "generating a panic."
2. (C) Comment: This example illustrates the danger to
critical media if the media crimes law (Reftel),which
appears to have been tabled for now, were enacted. Reporters
and media organizations could be accused of causing public
panic or threatening public security, crimes punishable by up
to four years imprisonment. End Comment
DUDDY
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: PETTY POLITICS SURFACE DURING HEAVY RAINS
REF: CARACAS 1013
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
1. (U) A torrential downpour in Caracas on August 12,
flooded roads, closed highways and muddied Chavista
credibility. While Globovision, the last remaining
opposition television broadcaster showed cars in water up to
their windows, Jacqueline Farias, Chavez's appointed Chief of
Government for the Capital District was telling state-run VTV
that were no landslides or floods thanks to her stormdrain
maintenance plan. Farias went even further and accused some
media of "generating a panic."
2. (C) Comment: This example illustrates the danger to
critical media if the media crimes law (Reftel),which
appears to have been tabled for now, were enacted. Reporters
and media organizations could be accused of causing public
panic or threatening public security, crimes punishable by up
to four years imprisonment. End Comment
DUDDY