Say what you will about spin, half-truths, propaganda, political polarization, the fact of the matter is that democracy is deteriorating in Venezuela. Following are statements that Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz has made on the record to the AFP in reference to her declaration that street protests are legally tantamount to "rebellion" against President Chávez's government:
"People who disturb order and the peace to create instability of institutions, to destabilize the government, or attack the democratic system, we are going to charge and try them."
"These precise actions are in effect criminal civil rebellion," Ortega stressed, warning in her statement that the crime carries sentences of between 12 and 24 years.
"I want those people who have risen up against the government with a hostile attitude against a legally formed government to know what the consequences are."
More coverage from the LAHT here.
I challenge anyone who agrees that freedom of speech is necessary for a functioning democracy to explain to me how these statements from the Attorney General are defensible.
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