By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
CARACAS, Venezuela – Jesus Enrique Majano Rodriguez, an engineer working for the state-owned utility company Corpoelec, was arrested for attempting to “incite his followers against the figure of the president of the republic,” via the social networking site Twitter. Majano Rodriquez allegedly posted photos of President Chavez with wounds on his face and purportedly described how the assassination could be successfully carried out.
This is not the first time that the Venezuelan Government has arrested citizens for making comments on Twitter. In July, two individuals were arrested for starting false rumors and criticizing the Venezuelan banking system.
While assassination attempts have long been speculated against the Venezuelan President, Chavez himself generally denounces them, pointing the finger at foreign and domestic political rivals rather than at the Venezuelan citizens themselves. President Chavez’s political foes have steadfastly denied any assassination attempt, and say the accusations are a way for the Venezuelan leader to divert attention away from his own government’s shortcomings.
No charges have been officially filed against Majano Rodriquez to this point, and he was released from jail on parole shortly after being detained. Rodriguez is; however, obligated to appear in court every 15 days as the case moves forward. Time will tell if the Government’s assertions are legitimate.
The alleged assassination plot comes only a few months after a 29-year old man was arrested in April for allegedly plotting a separate plan to harm President Chavez. Public unrest continues to grow as Venezuela experiences a shortfall in basic goods, including food, and a seemingly ever-increasing crime rate.
The recent explosion of social networking websites creates a problem for a country that appears to keep a firm grasp on its media. Social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter, may pose a threat to the Venezuelan Government’s ability to control the information that reaches the masses.
For more information, please see:
Wire Update – Venezuelan engineer released after being arrested for alleged twitter death threats against President Chavez – 11 September 2010
Caribbean 360 – Venezuelan Twitters President Assassination Plot – 10 September 2010
ABC News – Man Used Twitter to Try to Kill Chavez – 9 September 2010
Latin American Herald Tribune – Venezuelan Charged with Chavez Assassination on Twitter – 9 September 2010
