Venezuela's Latest Military Defector Puts the Focus on Civilian Deaths

[Bacchus4.0]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-05-02/venezuelas-latest-military-defector-draws-focus-to-civilian-deaths




Capitán Juan Carlos Caguaripano Scott, crisp in a military dress shirt, a clean white undershirt peeking through at his throat, sat square-shouldered in front of a Venezuelan flag and a plaque of the country’s war hero, Simón Bolívar. The captain of the Venezuelan National Guard placed both hands on the table and leaned forward toward the video camera. “I’ve been called to reflect, and I have been convinced of my duty as a humble Venezuelan. As a national guard member who loves this country and is worried about our future and our children,” he said, “there are sufficient reasons to break the silence.”

In the 12-minute video that went viral on social media soon after Scott posted it to YouTube (GOOG) on Apr. 29, he continued, “There are sufficient reasons to demand the resignation of the president, to free the political prisoners.” He accused the government of conducting “fratricidal war” and made a plea to the country’s generals. “Señores generales,” Scott said, “reflect, ask for forgiveness. We are in time to save the country. Tomorrow you yourselves could be victims.”

A military tribunal ordered Scott’s arrest on Thursday for his participation in a coup against President Nicolás Maduro, joining three generals from the air force and another captain of the national guard already accused of plotting against the state last month. The tribunal declared that Scott “operated in a clandestine plan” with the generals already arrested, as well as an individual operating under the pseudonym “El Llanero,” to “impede the army and disrupt the country’s peace.”


Last week the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that the right to peaceful protest under the Venezuelan constitution isn’t absolute, effectively making the ongoing demonstrations illegal and justifying the use of violence by military forces. As protests—legal or not—haven’t stopped, government efforts to control the streets are provoking increasingly negative public reaction. Soldiers have purportedly fired shotguns loaded with rubber bullets at point-blank range, causing severe injuries, in addition to robbing, raping, and detaining protesters, who for their part have been using Molotov cocktails. The cases of alleged torture are mounting. When a 12-year-old was shot and severely wounded by the national guard on April 26, fresh riots broke out around the country.

[maximillian1974]

1. get over it

So you're pro military coup? I like president maduro and Chavez's policies, and so do most venezuelans. The people you clearly support are the same kind of people we saw at the Bundy ranch. Violent bullies upset their old system of government has been defeated.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. asking for resignation is a coup? Like wanting Bush impeached or resign?

Yep, I would have been happy with that. Bundy should have paid his fees. The only thing I fault the government with in regards to Bundy is the swat military tactics the government used. All the ranchers that play by the rules are fine with me and I would be pissed at Bundy if I were them.

Violent bullies are the chavistas. Try again Skippy.

[maximillian1974]

3. no colluding with air force generals to take out the governmenr is.

They just had a failed military coup (that bush's CIA helped orchestrate) 10 years ago. These are the same people. The own article you posted pointed that out.

[Bacchus4.0]

4. no it doesn't, the only mention of the former coup was Hugo's 92 coup and his head of

security was involved in that coup. Hugo's coup. But you've expressed support for Hugo and Maduro and I assume you are fine with their tactics of shooting protesters in the face including 11 year olds and their paramilitary friends right along side them. Just look at what a mess that country is and yet you support that corrupt, violent, and inept government. Unfuckingbelievable.

[Marksman_91]

5. Clearly you haven't been paying attention to the most recent polls

Almost every single one, including those that gave Maduro as the winner in the past presidential elections, are showing now that his popularity is down the drain, and that most Venezuelans think the country's in a really bad shape, and that they belie the government is mostly responsible for it.

You've obviously also haven't noticed that national guard and police are now pretty much assaulting residences without warrants and detaining dozens and thanking people away by force, like he good ol' Stasi in East Germany. And you apparently haven't noticed that Venezuela has the second lowest minimum wage now in the region after Cuba thanks to the government's poor handling of the economy which has caused one of he largest inflation rates in the world and made made them devalue the Bolivar to the point of being almost as worthless as a sheet of toilet paper. But why do I bother? You're just going to eat up the bullshit the government claims when they say it's all an attempt by the CIA/Alvaro Uribe/opposition to sabotage the country's economy only because they did it over 40 years ago at the height of the Cold War. Wouldn't be surprised if you also support Russia trying to annex Ukraine to their territory again.

[MADem]

6. If there's any "coup" it'll be from the left. Diosdado Cabello is biding his time.

You do realize that anyone in the Armed Forces was a "friend of Hugo?"

Good grief, get the lay of the land before you make uninformed assumptions.

How do you think Hugo Chavez came to power? It started with not one, but TWO, failed coups (that HE led, just in case you aren't clear...). That's how he got his name in the paper and came to the attention of the Cubans.

Go do some homework...

[maximillian1974]

8. nice language

From your article

"A military tribunal ordered Scott’s arrest on Thursday for his participation in a coup against President Nicolás Maduro, joining three generals from the air force and another captain of the national guard already accused of plotting against the state last month. "

[joshcryer]

9. Erm, he called for a resignation.

And said he wouldn't fight for Maduro anymore.

If he was plotting a coup wouldn't he, you know, storm the palace?

[Electric Monk]

10. Jury results for reply #7 (voted 6-1 to HIDE IT)

The review was completed at Sun May 4, 2014, 12:26 AM, and the Jury voted 6-1 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: I was torn, because I somewhat agree with the sentiment posted, but I also agree with the alerter. "Screw you" isn't debate or discussion, it's just hurling insults.
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: I think the bundy ranch comment was BS, too. However "screw you" is bad form.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Agree with the alerter. It's a personal attack.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given