A leader in the unsuccessful Venezuelan strike was released today, a month after secret police put him under house arrest. An appeals court ruled that there was not enough evidence to keep the leader, Carlos Fernandez, in custody on the charges of rebellion and instigation. Mr. Fernandez helped organize a two-month strike to force President Hugo Chavez to resign or allow early elections. Mr. Chavez has demanded 20-year prison sentences for strike leaders; despite the fact other countries have been very critical of his treatment of opposition leaders.
See "Venezuelan Court Orders Release of Strike Leader", The New York Times, March 20, 2003