Television Station President Arrested in Venezuela

By Victor Ray Garza
Senior Desk Officer, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela-The President of Venezuela's only independent media outlet was arrested on  Saturday for charges stemming from another one of the businesses he owns.  Guillermo Zuloaga was arrested by state officials after a raid on a car dealership he owns turned up what the government calls irregularities. 

The arrest warrant was not clear as to any specific laws that were broken but it did accuse Zuloaga of hoarding cars through his dealership so that they could be sold for a higher price at a later date.  The arrest had been previously announced by Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz and Commerce Minister Eduardo Samán on Venezuelas state owned television station.

The investigation and arrest of Zuloaga follows a pattern being set by the government of President Hugo Chavez.  Zuloaga is another person targeted for investigation by the criminal justice system of Venezuela after making statements critical of the President.  The mayor of Caracas, a former political rival, and even the Presidents former Defense Minister have bee targeted by the criminal justice system for what many believe are simply political reasons. 

Globovision has recently been the target of President Chavez's wrath following critical statements the news station made concerning the Venezuelan governments slow response to the recent earthquake.  President Chavez has called on regulators to silence the station saying if they could not “they should resign so that somebody with courage takes over.”

For more information, please see:

Latin American Herald Tribune - Chavez Orders Venezuela News Channel Head Arrested - 31 May 2009

New York Times - Chávez Seeks Tighter Grip on Military - 29 May 2009

CNN - International groups worry over Venezuela's stance on free press 23 May 2009