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WORLD NEWS Tuesday 18 July 2017

Venezuelan opposition calls for nationwide strike

By M. WEISSENSTEIN “Overall the package is
FABIOLA SANCHEZ pretty radical, especially
Associated Press the idea of a parallel gov-
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ernment,” said David Smil-
— Venezuelan opposition de, a Tulane University ex-
leaders called Monday for pert on Venezuela. “I think
a 24-hour nationwide strike it could lead to real chaos
to increase pressure on the within the government.”
socialist government after He noted, however, that
more than 7 million people the opposition moves
rejected a plan to rewrite were to be implemented
the constitution and con- in phases over the next
solidate the ruling party’s week, starting with the na-
power over the country, tionwide strike on Thursday,
which has been stricken giving both sides the op-
by shortages and inflation portunity to negotiate pos-
and riven by more than 100 sible concessions. Earlier in
days of clashes between the day, opposition parties
protesters and police. had floated the idea of es-
The opposition also said the calating more than three
country’s National Assem- months of street protests,
bly, which it controls, would which have left at least 93
name new members to the people dead and 1,500
government-dominated wounded. More than 500 Opposition leaders celebrate after the announcement of results of a symbolic referendum in
Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 16, 2017. Venezuelan’s opposition said more than 7.1 million
Supreme Court, setting up protesters and government people responded to its call to vote Sunday in a symbolic rejection of President Nicolas Maduro’s
a showdown with President opponents have been plan to rewrite the constitution, a proposal that has raised tensions in a nation suffering through
Nicolas Maduro, whose jailed. “Right now we have widespread shortages and months of anti-government protests.
party controls nearly all to escalate and deepen (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
other state institutions. Op- this street movement,” Na- discussed their next steps had decided to change the government and to
position parties also plan to tional Assembly President behind closed doors. tactics in the wake of Sun- prepare for the final steps,
sign a declaration calling Julio Borges told local ra- Speaking at an afternoon day’s vote. which will be next week, to
for the formation of an al- dio station Exitos ahead news conference, opposi- “We call on the whole confront this fraud ... and
ternative “government of of Monday’s opposition tion leader Freddy Gue- country to launch a 24-hour to restore constitutional or-
national unity,” a step to- announcement, which vara made little mention national strike this Thursday, der,” he said. He didn’t say
ward total rejection of gov- was delayed for hours as of more protests, however, a massive, non-violent pro- what the final steps would
ernment authority. government opponents a sign that the opposition test, as a way to pressure be.q

Guatemala hands Mexico ex-governor wanted in corruption case

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — mala, when he wore a full prison for the first hearings tional Revolutionary Party, embezzled millions and
The former governor of the beard and often grinned in his case. The seriousness which is trying to clean up used much of the money
Gulf coast state of Vera- broadly. Duarte fled to of the charges appears to its image ahead of next to buy properties.
cruz was extradited from Guatemala after resign- rule out the possibility of his year’s presidential vote. Duarte is one of three fugi-
Guatemala to Mexico on ing as governor of one of release on bail. Many party leaders had tive former Mexican gov-
Monday to face corrup- Mexico’s most populous “With this kind of actions, publicly hobnobbed with ernors arrested abroad
tion charges. Former Gov. states amid mounting al- the Mexican government Duarte, whose state had recently. Italian authorities
Javier Duarte was flown to legations of corruption. He stresses its commitment been a key bastion for the captured ex-Tamaulipas
Mexico City after dropping faces charges that include to take concrete steps to party until it lost the gover- Gov. Tomas Yarrington in
a fight against extradition. organized crime, influence reduce impunity ... and norship there this year. April. In June, former Gov.
Duarte appeared at the trafficking, embezzlement strengthen the rule of law,” Duarte’s legal team has Roberto Borge of Quintana
Mexico City airport clean- and abuse of authority. The Mexican Attorney Gen- said the state charges are Roo state was arrested in
shaven, guarded and un- The Mexican Attorney Gen- eral’s Office said in a state- baseless and politically mo- Panama.
smiling, a contrast with his eral’s Office said Duarte ment. The case is sensitive tivated. Prosecutors allege All three belonged to the
appearance in Guate- was taken to a Mexico City for Mexico’s ruling Institu- that, as governor, Duarte ruling party.q