Big news. My client Eligio Cedeño, a Venezuelan political prisoner who was released a few weeks ago, has been admitted by the United States of America. His ordeal has been significant: the judge who made the order was arrested and his life has been threatened with a dead-or-alive capture order from President Hugo Chávez. Facing the onslaught of frightening personal attacks, slander, and lies from the president on daily television, Cedeño was forced to flee the country, arriving in the United States on Dec. 19.
I am happy to report that after several days of processing, the U.S. government completed the required paperwork concerning Eligio Cedeño's status as a politically persecuted individual. He has now been officially admitted to the United States, where he enjoys complete freedom and the protections of its laws, and will be able to establish residence. Eligio has already made his way to an undisclosed residence in South Florida, where he will be able to spend the first Christmas in nearly three years with his family.
This is a tremendously positive occasion, though we acknowledge that a mountain of legal challenges remain, dozens of political prisoners continue to suffer under Chávez, and numerous actions are still being prepared to defend their rights. But for now, I appreciate your patience if the Venezuela Report slows down a bit over the holidays.
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