INFORME ESPECIAL: Resumen de los principales casos de represión del Gobierno de Venezuela a Grupos Estudiantiles. Enero-Abril 2013

Friends;

Those of us who love liberty and have worked tirelessly for a freer and more prosperous hemisphere have watched in consternation as the situation in Venezuela has continued its rapid slide toward dictatorship.  The elections of April 14th marked a turning point for a Venezuela that has strugged for 14 years against the authoritarian pretensions of former President Hugo Chavez.  This time, the illegitimate Maduro regime did not even attempt to veil their naked power grab.  The recent presidential elections were neither free nor fair; and Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski has rightly refused to accept the results.

This is a first for the Venezuelan opposition - and serves to highlight the gravity of the process.  Instead of waiting for the challenges to the election to be resolved through the electora commission and the courts, the Maduro regime forced through a hurried inauguration that sullied itself and all the participants.  Meanwhile, on the streets of Venezuela the regime upped the repression.  Eight have been killed and almost 200 wounded and hundreds have been arrested.  In Barquisimeto, students arrested for protesting were beaten until they chanted pro-Maduro slogans.  Housing Minister Ricardo Molina was recorded saying that those who voted for Capriles should resign, or he would fire them.  Teachers are being forced to swear loyalty to Maduro.  National Assemby Deputy William Davila was brutally beaten within the hallowed confines of the Congress.

National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello fired all the opposition parliamentarians from the heads of commissions; and went further to announce that those who did not accept the illegitimate Maduro regime would be denied their constitutional right to speak.  Arrest warrants were issued for Governor Capriles and Leopoldo Lopez (that were quickly shelved after they were made public).  Attached below are a collection of videos taken during the violence that demonstrate the brutality of the illegitimate Maduro regime.

The situation continues to be tense.  Governor Radonski has demanded a full recount of the paper and electronic implements on voting day.  The National Electoral Council (CNE for its acronym in Spanish) initially agreed, but then backtracked stating that the audit would not change the results.

The Venezuelan people are struggling for their freedom.  Their simple desire, to have their choice on election day - which was Governor Radonski - assume the office for which he was chosen.  The world has a duty and moral imperative to not let this fraud stand.  I urge all those who love freedom and sorrow when it is lost to reject the violence and pretensions of Nicolas Maduro and demand a return to republican democracy in Venezuela.
                                             Videos