From the early hours of Wednesday employees of the Caracas Mayor's office had gathered outside the Latin Financial Tower, rejecting what it could mean an unfair dismissal of more than 8,000 workers due to the possible disappearance of the government entity of Greater Caracas. They decided to go immediately to the Supreme Court to hand over a document asking for constitutional protection before the National Assembly approves the two parts of the forthcoming Municipal Regime Law in the metropolitan area. Dozens of employees of the Caracas Mayor's office mobilized spontaneously and peacefully to Supreme Court, where they were repressed by persecuted by the Metropolitan Police near Panteón Avenue, in the center of town. The demonstrators marched in opposition to the aforementioned act, which would undermine their jobs. Minutes before this event, at the Caracas Mayor's headquarters (the Latin Financial Tower), the legal counsel of that office, Carlos Guevara, would confirm that the National Assembly seeks to implement an "occupational genocide" by approving an "illegitimate and unconstitutional" Municipal Regime Law, the law would abolist, de facto, the Special Law of the Metropolitan District, creating a "financial strangulation which would prevent the mayor's office from paying salaries, wages and benefits to any its workers."
The National Assembly, in its second extra session, held yesterday, passed two parts of the draft Municipal Regime Law for the metropolitan area, which contains some 22 items. Similarly, the Assembly also approved in its second session the draft law to reform Criminal Procedure code. Members of the Podemos party anticipated their vote would be saved by considering as "unconstitutional" the legal instrument that separates the functions of the Metropolitan Mayor's office and the Capital District. MP Darío Vivas said the law does not intend to leave without recourse to the metropolitan mayor, but rather, complies with a constitutional mandate. Their arguments were applauded by the majority of parliamentarians. The discussion was fast and one of the amendments envisaged in the project is the incorporation of the Governance of Miranda as a source of stable income for the mayor's office, in addition to contributions from the five municipalities of the metropolitan area. The article which refers to the Metropolitan Council was amended, so that will not disappear, but will be replaced by another instance.
The mayor's sports secretary, Carlos Melo, reported that police officials arrested the Prefect of Caracas, Ricardo Blanco, in the vicinity of the Latin Financial Center. He was accused of allegedly inciting crime and injury. Earlier, more than 10 employees of the Metropolitan Mayor's office were detained while heading to the Supreme Court to protest. "What I just saw with this disproportionately armed group, threatening, that only works in dictatorships or governments that have no respect for legality. They pushed women and everybody, got into the Latin Financial Center building. I guess it's an action ordered by President Chávez, but it's been years since I saw something like that" he said. He explained that in addition to Blanco 13 employees of the Metropolitan Mayor's office were also arrested for protesting for their right to work. In addition, the temporary detention of journalist David Pérez Hansen was recalled. Melo confirmed they will continue "taking the fight." "Ricardo Blanco is another icon to keep fighting for. Today is the day of repression. He who believes that defending these actions will save Chavez's revolution, is wrong," he said.
The leader of Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), José Luis Farías, denounced the use of the Public Prosecutor's office to prosecute opposition political leaders, with the intention of preventing public criticism of the actions promoted by the national government, such as the recent enactment of the Education Law. This Wednesday Farías had to appear before the prosecution to testify on the investigation opened by the alleged disqualifications of a 13 year old girl who participated in a ceremony along with President Hugo Chávez. The UNT leader said that he was quoted on something "under investigation", although this designation does not exist. "We will not tire in our struggle to liberate the country from the ignominy that governs today," he said.
The labor dispute that has suspended the operations of the Japanese assembly plant MMC Automotriz, located in Anzoátegui, entered a compromise phase, but the company confirms that "the security conditions necessary to operate are not a given", and for that reason the decision to suspend industrial work is justified. In a statement issued Wednesday, MMC said that "the resumption of activities must be established once the security is fixed and the physical integrity of all workers can be guaranteed." In that sense, he said "the company made and will make its decisions according to the law", and will meet this Thursday to present their representatives to the negotiations overseen by the Labor Ministry, a process which is to launch a conciliation between the company and workers on Tuesday.
The usual half truths mixed in with outright lies in this report on the march of public employees of the Metropolitan Mayor's office.
Blanco was arrested for trying to asphixiate a police officer and was filmed in the march on Saturday committing this crime.
The 8.000 people you mention employed by the Metropolitan Mayor's office destroyed private property and were inciting violence.
You fail to mention that Metropolitan Mayor Ledezma was ordered by the High Couirt to reemploy some 7500 workers he fired when he took office. Ledezma will be charged with contempt sooner or later.
Thanks God that the impunity experienced by the opposition for years is finally coming to an end. Blanco is an exemplary case.
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