Student opposition leader gunned down in Venezuela

[Bacchus39]

Source: AP



CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a student leader who helped organize protests against constitutional amendments proposed by President Hugo Chavez.

Julio Soto, a student leader at the University of Zulia, was killed Wednesday by unidentified gunmen in the western city of Maracaibo.

Local Police Chief Jose Gonzalez said he believes Soto was specifically targeted because the assailants sprayed his vehicle with gunfire and then fled without taking anything.

But Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami said federal authorities have not yet determined if the killing was a politically motivated hit.





Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081002/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_student_killed;_ylt=AibfRJzPDEhLC5aRGmj7Vkq3IxIF

[bluestateguy]

1. Hmmm

It'll be interesting to see if Chavez actually puts these killers in jail.

We'll see.

[Pavulon]

2. Must be normal..

I mean people get lit up with automatic rifle fire all the time...

KRE is normal. Looks like a hit.

[iandhr]

3. I do not want...

to here from the DU Chavez fan club.


Look at this
But Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami said federal authorities have not yet determined if the killing was a politically motivated hit."


We know that student courageously opposed Chavez's power grab. Know on of the leaders who defeated the power grab is dead and the shooting was not politically motived hammy. Makes you want to think

[harmonicon]

4. huh?

What do you know about this guy? Courageously opposed Chavez's power grab? You mean, that grab where he won three completely legitimate elections - that power grab? Woo... that's courage, in the face of...? Chavez has no history of dealing with the opposition by any means other than what is legal. His strength of character is impeccable for that - he didn't even arrest those who plotted a coup against him and tried to have him murdered. That is courage. Courage to believe in democracy and the people of his country to not let that happen again. Courage to allow those who would kill him given the opportunity to walk free. Opposing that man is not courageous, it is cowardice.

Now, I don't know who killed this guy. I don't know if he was involved with gangs, or drugs, or the mob, and neither do you. To assume that a law-abiding, democratically elected president of a free country would hire hitmen to take out a protester is pretty fucking despicable.

[Bacchus39]

7. you do know that he was an opposition leader who has been assassinated though

so I guess we should start with what we do know.

[harmonicon]

12. sure

But why jump to conclusions? I have no reason to think that the police in Venezuela won't try to find out who was behind this and why.

[Hannah Bell]

32. what we know about venezuela is that the universities are mostly

controlled by rightist elites, they're autonomous, & so your "courageous student leader" most likely doesn't attend classes & is on someone's payroll.

There are no indigenous "courageous student leaders," there are a bunch of westernized, international preppy rich kids who chant & talk to western media, & their paid thugs, who do the heavy action.

[WriteDown]

34. Really? All westernized rich kids in all universities in

Venezuela? Seriously? I take it you've never been.

[Hannah Bell]

41. i didn't say "all", i said "most". nice straw man there.

[EFerrari]

40. I call them the Gucci protestors. During the coup, they were out there

"marching" in spikes. It was sad and funny.

[Bacchus39]

42. is being "indigenous" a qualification for a student leader?

and you didn't say "most" either. but that wouldn't be true either.

and last I heard Venezuela was a westernized nation.

well, his efforts, among others, were successful at defeating Chavez's power grab. looks like he paid for it.

[EFerrari]

47. Your exploitation of this death to make weak political points is disgusting.

You should be ashamed of yourself -- if you knew what shame was.

[Bacchus39]

55. I have made no connection of Soto's assassination to your beloved Chavez

I am perfectly open to various possibilities for his assassination particularly considering the violence that plagues Venezuela lately. as I noted, he was a student oppostion leader which is a fact. I didn't speculate it was drugs, or the mafia like others seem to suggest because there is no evidence. and two comments on a blog site calling Soto an assassin are not evidence of anything.

your unconditional devotion to Chavez is what's disgusting.

[harmonicon]

85. "unconditional devotion"?!

Is there anyone on here who is devoted to Chavez? If so, how? There are many people here who very rightly have great admiration for the man, and would love to have a leader, like Chaves, in the US who is so open, honest, and willing to do whatever it takes, not matter how unpopular, to deliver the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people in his country as possible.

As for the unconditional part.... you must not have been paying any attention. If you replace "devotion" with "admiration", nothing is unconditional. My, and many others', admiration for Chavez stems from the conditions through which he as achieved so much good in so little time. This is a man who takes democracy more seriously than any US leader I've ever even heard of throughout history. This is a man who loves his people, and will do what the majority of them want and need, no matter who the rich and powerful may feel about it.

Hugo Chavez has proven himself to be a great man. You have prove yourself to be a person who would insult those working for the poor and unspoken for, and call disgusting those who admire the strength, honesty, and courage we see in a foreign leader, the likes of which our own country is very sorely lacking.

[EFerrari]

89. You have done nothing but use this kid's death to score points.

And, I'm not at all surprised. Shame on you.

[Hannah Bell]

88. by indigenous i meant self-originating, rather than originated by elites.

[Dorian Gray]

74. Are you sure about that?

And if this kid is a Westernized Rich kid, then his being GUNNED DOWN is not problematic how?

If this was an assassination, it's horrible. If it wasn't, then he still deserves justice for the crime that was perpetrated against him.

[EFerrari]

83. The point wasn't that his death isn't wrong but that he wasn't

a folk hero.

[Mesteryo]

98. this is a public university..

The University of Zulia is a public university so how is it autonomous and controled by "rightist elites"?

Also wouldn't most preppy rich kids attend private universities in Venezuela?

[ChazII]

75. That would make too much sense

to start with what we do know.

[struggle4progress]

102. We know he had about $180K flowing through his bank account every month and about $1.3 million cash

Such quantities of money have sometimes in the past led to murder

See post #95 below:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3521992&mesg_id=3527385

[TCJ70]

29. If an anti-Bush student protester...

...was killed by an unknown gunman here would you be so willing to write off the government?

[tom_paine]

30. I can only answer for myself here: I would immediately suspect them highest.

So, yes, you do have a good point.

I remain to this day, midway on the fence about Chavez. Is he just a leftist version of Bush? In one clear case, he is most definitely NOT.

He accepted his electoral loss on the referendum. We all know Bushies would NEVER accept such a close loss, and would have reevrsed it using their crooked pet judiciary or pther means.

So in that regard, Chavez is clearly NOT a Bushie. After all, he accepted the outcome of an election that didn't go his way.

But there is no doubt that you have an excellent point. Chavez SHOULD be scrutinized here.

But as someone said above, much depends on the forthcoming investigation.

If Chavez does what the Bushies did to protect themselves during the anthrax investigation, by tanking it for years, tampering with evidence (very likely), and then pinning it, Nazi-style, to a corpse who was a member of the very group assualted by the Bushies' Anthrax Attacks (Democrats).

If Chavez does for the murderers what the Bushie did for THEIR Antrhax Assassins, then we can be pretty sure that Chavez is as likely to have been behind the opposition man's murder as the Bushie are to have likely been the senders of the anthrax to Democrats and Liberals.

Which is to say 95-99% likely, in that case.

[Mesteryo]

99. who says he accepted the loss?

First of all Chavez had no choice but to abide by this vote with people lining the streets and eager to revolt if he didn't. But I doubt he truly accepts it. After Chavez lost the referendum the NY Times said:

In recent days, Mr. Chávez and senior officials denounced what they warned were destabilization plots by the opposition, and fear of political retaliation has grown common as the president’s followers strengthened their grip.

[EFerrari]

31. There's no reason to write off anyone right now.

But be very clear about this: the anti Chavez student groups aren't just college kids exercising free speech. Some of them are run by the oligarchy and funded by your government. They introduced violence into their protests. They laid down with dogs. Who knows what their network is and who they made deals with. It's not just like my kids going out with signs to protest in front of Pelosi's office. Not at all. The opposition in Venezuela has used their own children since the very beginning. They care about their power and their holdings over their own kids.

And, the Chavez government has a zero history of political assassinations.

[harmonicon]

61. probably

but just because that isn't the Bushies' style. They'd find some sort of false terrorism charge and lock them up, or send them to a foreign country to be tortured if it were someone they thought may really be a threat. Their main way of undermining protest is through control of the media - if they ignore it, the major networks ignore it, and it's as if it never existed. In the case of Chavez protesters, some - I don't know about this man who was unfortunately murdered - turned what should have been peaceful demonstration into armed conflict, and resorted to murdering the opposition over trying to win their hearts and minds through democratic process.

However, I think comparing these two presidents is completely wild. Bush was appointed by a court, where as Chavez won a legitimate election. For election #2 for both men, I haven't heard of any allegations of tampering with the vote by Chavez's side, where as there have been vast allegations of fraud on part of Republicans in the 2004 election.

[bluestateguy]

84. What if Bush had won in two legitimate elections?

Would you favor giving him a blank check?

Oh, oooh!! We better keep quiet and not criticize the Leader.

[harmonicon]

86. what if pigs could fly?

What if the holocaust deniers are right? What if when I turned on my faucet, instead of water, it poured forth elfin blood?

Doesn't fucking matter. Made up "what ifs" that have no basis in fact do not influence my thinking.

[bluestateguy]

87. "Tim, that's a hypothetical..."

And always a clever way to avoid answering a question.

[harmonicon]

91. in what respect, Charlie?

... what.... question/topic you can't fucking deal with?!?!?.... oh, noes!!! .... umm..... mavrick... energy.... Chavez is a dictator....

[bitchkitty]

6. What?

Are you stoned? Please translate.

[An Intellectual]

14. The kid was a fundie fascist; why the concern?

[Bucky]

66. Right, there's no way that the murder of a political activist we disagree with should bother us.

It's not like they're gunning down liberals, yet.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Dorian Gray]

76. Because murder

is wrong, no matter who it is perpetrated against.

[bdab1973]

92. Really?

I mean...really?

[ohio2007]

18. LOL

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpaOlJrH7U
I think they'll avoid this thread

[ronnie624]

25. For what reason would supporters of the Bolivarian movement avoid this thread?

The attempt to cast aspersions against Chavez by implication is no more than mildly amusing. A murder occurs in Venezuela, therefore Chavez is what, exactly?

[Billy Burnett]

23. Nice post.

:eyes:

[EFerrari]

26. Do you know that? He could be one of the instigators of the cowardly

violence in the run up to a peaceful election -- complete with death threats, violence that got people hurt, rocks, bricks and setting fire to university property. Courageous students, my @ss. The kind of courage you get from USAID dollars.

Who's Pulling the Strings?
Behind Venezuela's "Student Rebellion"
http://www.counterpunch.org/maher06092007.html


And your post makes me want to use a spell checker.

[WriteDown]

35. Sweet!

Next time our government starts firing rubber bullets at our students, I'll cheer them on for taking out those Westernized rich kids.

[EFerrari]

39. You didn't bother to read the link, did you?

Waste of time.

[Bacchus39]

43. do you consider his murder a cowardly act too? n/t

r

[EFerrari]

46. Have you read this thread? Another waste of time. n/t

[Pavulon]

53. Good thing someone

blew holes in him. Just to be on the safe side.

Is that your position.

[EFerrari]

64. No. My position is that he is not associated with some kind of

idealistic or heroic student effort. Those people have used violence ever since their parents trotted them out. That doesn't mean they deserve to be gunned down in cold blood.

[Mesteryo]

100. prove it...

Please prove he was involved in violence.

[freedomnorth]

122. Please prove Chávez was behind hit. n/t.

[NashVegas]

79. And We Don't Want to Hear From Corporate Stooge Propagandists

Where do you suppose that leaves us?

[Rage for Order]

5. This was obviously a false flag operation

Chavez's opposition undoubtedly killed this guy themselves in order to try and make it look like Chavez or his supporters had something to do with it. In fact, the victim probably set the hit up on himself in an effort to become a martyr! The opposition is very crafty like that

:sarcasm:, just in case

[ronnie624]

28. In no way,

does your message advance a logical argument for opposition to Chavez. It is nothing more than an attempted smear of his supporters, and it is absolutely deceitful, to boot.

[bitchkitty]

8. Poor child.

Whoever killed him. And shame on you for trying to score political points over his death, all of you.

Hugo Chavez didn't even jail the assholes who tried to overthrow the will of the people, and you think he arranged a hit on this boy?

[Rage for Order]

9. Not Chavez personally

One of his community councils, gestapos, militias, or whatever it is he's calling them now

[bitchkitty]

10. Well, that's quite a leap.

Congratulations on a vivid imagination.

[Pterodactyl]

11. The security situation in Venezuela is deteriorating.

I trust Chavez will leave no stone unturned... when he looks for more almighty oil.

[harmonicon]

13. heaven forbid his country has industry!!

Oh, noes!!! A democratic country that produces a commodity which we consume!!! Run for the hills!!!!!!!!

[Pterodactyl]

15. Chavez is just Bush in a red shirt.

Both are dictator thugs obsessed with oil. You think oil is good for Venezuala? Hardly. When carbon pollution warms the earth and the oceans rise, and hurricanes become more frequent and deadly, they'll pay the price.

[harmonicon]

17. how do you figure?

Sure, global warming is bad, but if Venezuela wasn't selling oil, other countries would just up their production to meet world demand. It's not as if they just pump oil, burn it, laugh, and shout "global warming be damned!!!!". The same amount of oil will be used whether they profit from it or not. I don't have exact figures in front of me, but I'm quite certain that the amount of energy used, per capita, is dramatically less in Venezuela than the US and many other countries.

And please name one - one - way in which Chavez is a dictator. Chavez was elected in free and fair elections - there is no disputing that. He was not appointed by some court, nor did he benefit from having a brother be the governor of a corrupt state. Bush backed an illegal coup to overthrow the democratically elected leader of a sovereign country. To compare the two men is absolutely despicable.

[bitchkitty]

19. Obviously, he doesn't "figure," or think for that matter.

Bush and Chavez are nothing alike. Some people just open their mouth and let spew the idiocy.

[Pterodactyl]

59. nope

Hey, bitchkitty. People who disagree with you think, too. You don't have a monopoly on truth.

[bitchkitty]

63. People spouting outrageous, stupid statements

is not disagreeing. That's just being stupid. Truth has nothing to do with it.

[Pterodactyl]

67. No, you go to Jupiter to get more stupider.

You're decorum and method of argument leaves much to be desired. Calling people who disagree with you stupid is not going to change their minds, bitchkitty.

[bitchkitty]

70. Explain to me how Chavez is "Bush in a red shirt" and I"ll take it back. n/t

[Pterodactyl]

58. One way?

How about rule by decree?

How about seizure of huge sections of the public's economy?

How about the "mysterious" shooting of the student opposition leader? (Better call Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery Inc. kids in on that one.)

How about blaming everything on foreigners?

How about accusing foreigners of plotting and invasion that never seems to come?

How about aiding terrorists who kidnap people like Ingrid Bettencourt and don't allow the Red Cross access to their prisoners?

Oh, wait that was more than one.

[AlphaCentauri]

65. Wow there are many ways and all wrong

How about rule by decree?

How about by referendum?
http://jimmycarter.org/news/documents/doc2023.html

How about seizure of huge sections of the public's economy?

How about ending corruption and speculation by regulating the market, remember those petro Union leader who had everything the ordinary venezuelan didn't?
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20030315/ai_n11382424

How about the "mysterious" shooting of the student opposition leader? (Better call Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery Inc. kids in on that one.)

How about the shooting of the pro Chavez students?
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/675/6224

How about blaming everything on foreigners?

What about paying Yon Goycochea 500 000 dollars for been anti Chavez?
http://www.cato.org/special/friedman/goicoechea/index.html

How about accusing foreigners of plotting and invasion that never seems to come?
What about Pat Robertson, calling for his assassination in the name of God?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-08-22-robertson-_x.htm


How about aiding terrorists who kidnap people like Ingrid Bettencourt and don't allow the Red Cross access to their prisoners?

What about Chavez negotiations to free the hostages?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18021246

[Pterodactyl]

68. Your hostage article link cracked me up.

It said Bettencourt was still being held. Thank you, Hugo!

[AlphaCentauri]

80. Wow wow!!! only Uribe' trophies count, the peasants and the poor are less valuable than Betancourt

surprise surprise, Forgotten in the Jungle by the Colombian government

[Judi Lynn]

72. Appreciate your links, and most clearly the link to information on opposition violence against

Chavistas.

From that article:

VENEZUELA: Escualido war at the University of Los Andes?

Coral Wynter & Jim McIlroy, Caracas

Merida is a lovely city located high in the Andes. It is a famous resort, well-known to tourists. On the afternoon of June 21 students were watching a game of football on the TV set in the cafeteria of the humanities department of the University of Los Andes (ULA). Suddenly, an armed group wielding large calibre weapons and wearing balaclavas descended from a university bus and entered the cafeteria. The group threatened to shoot everyone there.

Students ran in all directions. One of the armed group brutally beat up a female student. Another beat up Inti Sarcos, a student known as a supporter of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s socialist president. Sarcos’s face was disfigured and his kidney almost ruptured. The armed group is still wandering around ULA with impunity.

The revolutionary process that is taking place in Venezuela is being fiercely resisted by opposition forces, known here as escualidos. The radical “Bolivarian revolution”, which has begun to empower the poor majority of Venezuela, has been led by Chavez and his supporters.

A number of key public officials in Merida back the anti-Chavez forces. Merida was one of the cities where the most violence took place during a US-backed coup in April 2002 that briefly overthrow Chavez. During the coup, the Andean public prosecutor, Galucci, was responsible for assaulting the governor of Merida, kidnapping and beating him. Galucci has never been charged for this crime and is still retains his position.

Merida is also one of the states with the greatest number of assassinations of peasants by Colombian paramilitaries, hired by the cattle barons opposed to the Chavez government’s land reform policies, occurs regularly with impunity.

More:
-Material in this report has been drawn from Los Papeles de Mandinga.-

From Green Left Weekly, July 19, 2006.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oddly enough, and not at all surprising, Material which impugns the opposition directly never gets blown all over our corporate media, does it? Of course not.

It's the same corporate media which has buried all information you would have expected them to cover for us when it happened, only to remain in the dark for DECADES before learning what US-assisted coups and military juntas were doing to destroy ALL opposition as they tortured and disappeared hundreds of thousands of "leftist" souls in Latin America without a peep being uttered in our media.

If it weren't for records finally becoming declassified through FOIA and released we STILL wouldn't know about the deadly decades, and death squads, torture, and violent filth like flinging "leftists" out of airplanes into the ocean, and rivers, babies forced from politically imprisoned "leftist" mothers handed off to politically favored couples, then mothers murdered, aided, abbetted, supported by U.S. right-wing Presidents like Nixon, Ford, Reagan, _{Bush #41.}.

[carla]

27. It is a shame you are so ill-informed

about what changes have been taking place in Venezuela. Presidente Hugo Chavez is like bush when you are like completely confused and only then.

[WriteDown]

36. Yep....

they now have over 10 varieties of chicken feet in the markets now. I hear there may even be beaks soon! :sarcasm:

[Pterodactyl]

60. True. The student opposition leader changed from alive to dead.

That's a change I don't believe in.

[StClone]

16. Add it to the list of Atrocities

There's plenty of proof dangerous Socialist Chavez will kill anybody in his mad dog Socialistic way. :sarcasm:



Yeah and we have Bush and Cheney HERE NOW and some are worried about that monster Chavez.

Do you want buy a clue before the price goes up?

[AlphaCentauri]

20. R.I.P.

"Brave men don't belong to any one country, I respect bravery wherever I see it"

Harry Truman

[Judi Lynn]

21. Hopefully the Zulia government will be more conscientious about finding the murderers of this man

than are the officials in Colombia who are responsible for bringing to justice the murderers of all the many union workers, and human rights activists there.

According to the statement issued by his political group, they believe Julius Soto is an example of the lack of security prevailing in Venezuela.

Statement:
http://www.unionradio.com.ve/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?noticiaid=256631

Here's the google translation tool if you're interested in copying and pasting the statement there for translation:
http://translate.google.com/translate_t?langpair=es|en#

Found photos of the young man:







Julio Soto

"Tiene 30 años. Comparte sus estudios de Derecho con la conducción de la Federación de Centros Universitarios de LUZ. Cursa el 5to año. Considera el Parlamento como “un centro de discusión donde se promueva una discusión plural acerca de la problemática que envuelve al país. Esperamos encontrar espacios de discusión dentro de la AN para que podamos hacer entrega de documentos y proyectos para ser analizados por los diputados”."

The text, after being subjected to the world famous google translation tool (First, the "30 años" means, "he's 30 years old." I do know that much!) :

Has 30 years. He shared his studies of law with the leadership of the Federation of University Centers of light. Attends the 5th year. Parliament considers it as "a center of discussion which promotes a pluralistic discussion about the problems surrounding the country. We hope to find areas of discussion within the NA to enable us to deliver documents and projects to be analyzed by the deputies. "

More:
http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/66/6/news-6.html

On edit:

Here's the page in Spanish with several articles "google translated:"
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.elbrollo.com/noticias-nacionales/177757-asesinaron-al-presidente-de-la-fcu-de-luz.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFCU%2BZulia%2BUniversity%2BJulio%2BSoto%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLD,GGLD:2004-37,GGLD:en

[bitchkitty]

24. Older than I thought he was.

When I heard "student" I assumed he was a young man in his teens or early 20s. It's still a tragedy, though.

Hopefully they'll bring his killers to justice soon, and wingnuts everywhere will gnash their teeth when it proves NOT to be Hugo Chavez or his government.

[EFerrari]

22. That's horrible. That poor family. n/t

[Satyagrahi]

33. Looks like a conflict over local student government elections (!)

How crazy is that?

Julio Soto was president of the local student government, the Federación de Centros Universitarios de la Universidad del Zulia (LUZ). He was elected in 2003. After that he was able to avoid new elections because of violent conflict between armed groups (!) allegedly linked to various student leaders.

Seis nombres por la FCU

Por Gabriela Pirela el 16 de Mayo, 2008 en Edición 101, LUZ por dentro

Grupos armados causan caos para evitar los comicios pautados para el 22 de mayo

En ninguna universidad del país se padece lo que en la Universidad del Zulia (LUZ). Por quinta ocasión las elecciones del gobierno y cogobierno estudiantil se encaminan a la suspensión, toda vez que grupos armados, comandados por presuntos líderes estudiantiles, se encargan de sembrar el caos en el alma mater para evitar las elecciones.

http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/2008/05/16/seis-nombres-por-la-fcu/

Google translation:

Armed groups causing chaos to prevent the elections scheduled for the May 22

In any university in the country is suffering from what at the University of Zulia (LUZ). For the fifth time the elections of government and student co-government are aimed at the suspension, as armed groups, led by student leaders alleged, were responsible for sowing chaos in the alma mater to prevent the elections.

[Satyagrahi]

44. Update: Some accused Soto of being responsible for the death of two students in November 2007.

Flavia Araujo Pisapia and Homero de Jesús Romero apparently died in armed clashes between various opposition groups (Iniciativa 13, Democracia Cristiana Universitario, Un Nuevo Tiempo and Primero Justicia) at the Universidad del Zulia (LUZ) in November 2007 and some accused Julio Soto of being responsible for the violence that led to the death of the two students:

RAMON LOPEZ
CIUDAD OJEDA, VENEZUELA - Domingo, 23 de Dic de 2007. 7:05 pm
ANTE TODO LO OCURRIDO MIS CONDOLENCIAS CON LOS CAIDOS MURIO FLAVIA Y QUEDO ASI MURIO ESE MUCHACHO TAMBIEN AJA QUIEN PAGA POR ESO YORMAN Y JULIO SOTO AL IGUAL Q ARTURO ALTAMAR RAFAEL RIVERO Y LOS HERMANOS DE YORMAN Q MONTARON EL TEATRO SON UNA CUERDA DE MALDITOS LADRONES Y SICARIOS A SUELDO PLOMO CON ESA GENTE Y Q LE CAIGA TODO EL PESO DE LA LEY POR SUCIOS

citatulia perez
maracaibo, Venezuela - Martes, 13 de Nov de 2007. 12:18 pm
el video presentado demuentra que los estudiantes presentes buscan la manera mas rapida de defenderse ante los ataques propiciados x el señor JULIO EDUARDO SOTO MORENO alias EL CABEZON quien actualmente es el pseudo dirigente de la F.C.U LUZ y coordinador de las bandas armadas de COPEI reconocidas como \\\"LA COBRA\\\"

ándrea prieto
maracaibo, venezuela - Miércoles, 7 de Nov de 2007. 8:07 pm
Lamento la muerte de FLAVIA ARAUJO, es muy lamentable todo lo sucedido. espero se hagan todas las averiguaciones al respecto que no pase nada por alto que todo se aclare y se haga justicia. me atrevo a decir que el pprimer culpable es JULIO SOTO actual presidente de la FCU. nose ni entiendo como ese individuo puede ser el representante de tantos estudiantes si es una persona sin escrupulos, maliante, y no solo eso sino tambiem ASECINO

Acusaban a Soto de asesinato de joven de PJ
http://vencedorenboyaca2.blogspot.com/2008/10/acusaban-soto-de-asesinato-de-joven-de.html

Video of the clashes here (in Spanish):

Videoaficionado muestra a universitarios armados en LUZ este viernes
http://www.radiomundial.com.ve/yvke/noticia.php?892

This could be a possible motive for the assassination.

edit - sp.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

45. Interesting. nt

[EFerrari]

48. Am I reading this right? Two opposition groups were in conflict

with each other?

Un Nuevo Tiempo and Primero Justicia? Are they opposition groups or, just political student groups?

ETA: Nevermind. Yes, they are two groups in the opposition.

[Hannah Bell]

90. They're two phony opposition groups fighting over who'll get the graft

from the rich people who pay them. And probably the drug-dealing territories too.

Told y'all so.

Thirty-year old college student in Vz. Uh-huh.

[Judi Lynn]

93. Just found an article written in Spanish which says he was a lad of only 31 years.

This is a Reuters article which was published in La Prensa, then fed through google translation tool:

Chavez ordered to investigate the murder of student
The opposition leader and governor of the state of Zulia, Manuel Rosales, demanded a serious investigation.

REUTERS / Isaac Urrutia

PESQUISA. The leading university was intercepted on Wednesday by unknown persons who shot him at least 20 times. 1097993

CARACAS, Venezuela / DPA-Reuters

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, ordered to investigate the assassination of opposition student leader Julio Soto, who was riddled with gunfire in the western state of Zulia, as reported on Thursday the Higher Education Minister Hector Navarro.

"There is the will to make this case to be clarified as soon as possible, who will fall and fall with the consequences that entails the investigation," said Navarro.

For his part, the opposition leader and governor of the Venezuelan state of Zulia, Manuel Rosales, yesterday demanded an investigation "scientific and serious" for the murder of Soto, so that the case "does not go unpunished."

"Hopefully this is not going to be like the case of Danilo Anderson, the star government prosecutor who was murdered (in 2004) and whose case was unpunished," said Rosales, founder of the opposition party A New Time.

In fact also wounded in the leg a university student Hernan Chirinos, who was accompanying Soto in the vehicle shot and who is out of danger at a clinic in Maracaibo, according to police sources.

Also, Navarro reported that the Venezuelan president urged security agencies to resolve as soon as possible the case and "the guilty brought to justice."

The leading university was intercepted on Wednesday by unknown persons while driving a van in the city of Maracaibo and according to press releases received at least 20 shots.

Soto was president of the centers of students from the University of Zulia and belonged to the youth of the Copei Social Christian party, an organization opposing the government of President Chavez.

For his part, Minister of Interior and Justice, Tarek The Aissami, repudiated the murder of a student, aged 31, and indicated that the authorities are working to trace the perpetrators of the act.

"In principle we believe that not only the university community, but all the people of Venezuela, must repudiate the death of any human being and particularly for a young, as was the companion Julio Soto, a student leader and leading university," said the minister.

The Aissami urged students and the Venezuelan society to remain calm and wait for peaceful research findings.

"Ensure transparency until the final result of this investigation as we have demonstrated on previous occasions," said the minister at the radio station Union Radio.

Meanwhile, members of the Venezuelan Student Movement rejected the death of his partner and any violent act to occur.

http://www.prensa.com/hoy/mundo/1542568.html

[Bacchus39]

51. ahhh well, those two comments on a blog site clear everything up

gospel truth.

[Satyagrahi]

73. I quoted a local newspaper, a report by Venezuelan TV, a video of the clashes,

not just "two comments on a blog site".

Anyway, what are you trying to say here? Are you disputing that some people clearly believed that Julio Soto was responsible for the death of Flavia Araujo?

Many comments on local web sites and discussion forums show that this was the case. Some were calling him an "assassin" and some were even expressing a willingness to kill him:

26/10/07, 07:05:51

MAMUTIN

Julio Soto Estas Perdio
Asi Es Julio Soto Esta Haciendo Lo Que Sea Para No Perder El Poder....

Pero Llego Tu Hora Julito.. Asi Manden A Tus Esbirros, Nadie Te Quiere Ya..... No Has Hecho Nada Por Los Nosotros Los Estudiantes, Es Hora De Sacarte Tarjeta Roja..... Fuera....

-snip-

27/10/07, 15:46:58

Black19

muerte a los marditos DCU que le cayeron a tiros a la gente en rectorado y quieren suspender las elecciones pa seguir robando... muerte a julio por mardito mardiciento mardiciado.... XD

-snip-

12/02/08, 22:02:40

julio soto ladron de tick

ese es un ladron de tickesy periquero, muerte aese sucio

-snip-

13/02/08, 00:14:25

monche222

ese julio soto es un asesino,,, junto con clotilde navarro se juntaron para matar a un escolta de yorman y mataron a flavia

http://www.elbrollo.com/luz/41055-julio-soto-estas-perdio.html

29/02/08, 20:28:51

brollerito360

-snip-

POR QUE TE ESCONDES EN EL ANONIMATO MARDITO JALA BOLAS AQUI EN LUZ COL TENEMOS PILLAOS A LOS TRIMARDITOS DEL JULIO SOTO ASESINO CABRON DE MIERDA QUE NO DEJAN QUE HAYAN ELECCIONES ESTUDIANTILES...
-snip-

04/08/08, 21:00:37

DJSEX

si ase mardito ay que sacalo el mato a flavia y nosotros no nos olvidaremos de eso vivan los destudiantews fuera los corructos......... fuera D.C.U

-snip-

http://www.elbrollo.com/luz/41055-julio-soto-estas-perdio-2.html

23/05/08, 17:18:28

Monoxido...!!!

Otra Vez Julio Soto...!!!
Bueno este guevon no se cansa de joder, ahora introdujo un recurso de amparo por que 1810 estudiantes de los distintos programas de extencion no votan, pues pa que van a votar si no son estudiantes regulares de nuestra ilustre casa de estudios, bueno los fines de estos es no soltar la FCU pa seguir robandose el dinero de todos los estudiante ya que se ve politicamente muerto... Hasta cuando con este ser que no ha hecho nada productivo por la universidad... Fuera la DCU de nuestra maxima casa de estudio...
Julio ya deja de robar, FCU, Tickets y de matar a todo el que se cruza en tu camino; ASESINO...

Vota 13
www.elbrollo.com/luz/121926-otra-vez-julio-soto.html

Claudia
maracaibo, venezuela - Sábado, 10 de Mayo de 2008. 2:22 am
A ver que tanto hablan aqui... no hace menos de 2 dias que vi al malandro asesino que se llevola vida de flavia, donde esta la justicia que tanto dicen, ahora los mismos malandros de ese dia ocasionaron 17 heridos en lamañana del viernes por unas estupidas elecciones, actuando con mala fe al cerrar con candados las puertas del bloque P2 de educacion y ocasionando que mujeres y jovenes que solo tienen el proposito de ir a estudiar se lanzaran desde los pisos superiores para huir de la violencia

-snip-

RAMON LOPEZ
CIUDAD OJEDA, VENEZUELA - Domingo, 23 de Dic de 2007. 7:05 pm
ANTE TODO LO OCURRIDO MIS CONDOLENCIAS CON LOS CAIDOS MURIO FLAVIA Y QUEDO ASI MURIO ESE MUCHACHO TAMBIEN AJA QUIEN PAGA POR ESO YORMAN Y JULIO SOTO AL IGUAL Q ARTURO ALTAMAR RAFAEL RIVERO Y LOS HERMANOS DE YORMAN Q MONTARON EL TEATRO SON UNA CUERDA DE MALDITOS LADRONES Y SICARIOS A SUELDO PLOMO CON ESA GENTE Y Q LE CAIGA TODO EL PESO DE LA LEY POR SUCIOS

-snip-

citatulia perez
maracaibo, Venezuela - Martes, 13 de Nov de 2007. 12:18 pm
el video presentado demuentra que los estudiantes presentes buscan la manera mas rapida de defenderse ante los ataques propiciados x el señor JULIO EDUARDO SOTO MORENO alias EL CABEZON quien actualmente es el pseudo dirigente de la F.C.U LUZ y coordinador de las bandas armadas de COPEI reconocidas como "LA COBRA"

-snip-

ándrea prieto
maracaibo, venezuela - Miércoles, 7 de Nov de 2007. 8:07 pm
Lamento la muerte de FLAVIA ARAUJO, es muy lamentable todo lo sucedido. espero se hagan todas las averiguaciones al respecto que no pase nada por alto que todo se aclare y se haga justicia. me atrevo a decir que el pprimer culpable es JULIO SOTO actual presidente de la FCU. nose ni entiendo como ese individuo puede ser el representante de tantos estudiantes si es una persona sin escrupulos, maliante, y no solo eso sino tambiem ASECINO............ fue mas que evidente que es personalmente no hizo el daño pero si pue capaz de enviar a sus SICARIOS, quizas cuantas muertes tendra encima es una persona enferma de sangre fria. como pueden haber estudiantes que pertenezcan a la DCU no se dan cuenta que ese tipo es un maliante y a lo mejor tambien SICARIO solo que de seguro no se da a conocer como tal. con todo esto no quiero decir que las persona que participaron en lo sucedido no tengan la culpa, aunque ellos osea obviamente los estudiantes solo se defendian de los sicarios, deberian colocar el video completo mas no como lo muestran aca por partes. porque no muestran cuando los sicarios arremeten contra los estudiantes...? pues claro como pasarlos pues eso a JULIO SOTO no le conviene de seguro el tambien esta dtras de todo eso. el es el unico culpable a lo mejor y seria hasta el mismo quien grabo todo. solo queremos justicia y seguridad para todos los estudiantes. COMO DICEN ALGUNOS DICHOS. .... ALLA ARRIBA HAY UN DIOS QUE PARA ABAJO MIRA.... TODO LO QUE AQUI SE HACE AQUI SE PAGA.....

-snip-

JOSE
MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA - Martes, 6 de Nov de 2007. 10:42 am
yo estaba en la manifestación y me atrevo a decir que este video fue editado y que lo ocurrido fue obra de julio soto actual precidente de la FCU que como no fue apoyado por ningun grupo politico y sabe que esta perdido ha estado intentando con sus influencias y su dinero de suspender las elecciones o si no preguntense quien quemo la comision electoral del rectorado? quien le cayo a tiros portando armas largas y lanzando bombas lagrimojenas el dia martes un dia despues de la incripci´on de plancha cuando el candidato yorman barillas iba a inscribir su plancha hagan las averiguaciones correspondientes para que vean que este hombre julio soto es una mala persona que trabaja con sicarios y con otras cosas mas cuantas veces ha sido allanada su casa por que por santo? me imagino este hombre esta ofreciendo dinero a la ptj para que no investigue pero lo que no sabe es que ya las averiguacuiones estan demasiado adelantadas que viva la DCU y fontur JULIO se te acabo la corrupcion

-snip-

claudia
maracaibo, venezuela - Domingo, 4 de Nov de 2007. 10:20 pm
Estos acontecimientos que ocurrieron el dia viernes en la universidad fue una trampa que monto julio soto a los grupos opositores para quedarse con la FCU y dejar en mal posicion a yorman bariilas Y A SU EQUIPO claro como tiene mas ventaja con el soto le puso una trampa eso es un sabotaje , todo lo que ocurrio fue que un carro con sicarios que fueron contratados por quien sabe un ser animal por que la persona que pago esto no es un ser humano investiguen no se queden en las palabras busquen ... los estudiantes tambien tenemos derecho a defender nuestros IDEALES ..... LIBERTAD

-snip-

Ana Alvarez
Maracaibo, Venezuela - Domingo, 4 de Nov de 2007. 3:59 pm
La dirigencia estudiantil esta de luto por la lamentable perdida de nuestra compañera, repudiamos los terribles hechos de violencia que enlutaron a nuestra universidad.
Pero a nuestro favor quiero agregar que esto no tiene nada que ver con la politica externa, aqui en La Universidad del Zulia se esta destapando una olla de presión, a lo mejor muchos de ustedes emiten comentario al respecto desconociendo todo lo que hemos vivido por culpa de unas autoridades parcialistas, que solo buscan sus propios intereses
Aqui los protagonistas son evidentes, dos fuerzas estudiantiles una que a pesar de historias y prontuarios como lo van a sacar a relucir, participo de levantar una gestion oscura de una Federación de Centros Universitarios ya perdida hace cuatro años cuando el actual presidente de la misma asumio las riendas sin nosotros imaginarnos que su unica intención fue perpetuarse en esta posición y lucrarse (lease bien hacerse rico) a costa de nuestros bienestares estudiantiles sacrificando en más de una oportunidad los intereses estudiantiles, y otra fuerza comandada por ese presidente de la FCU que al ver como los estudiantes masivamente ya habiamos marcado nuestro triunfo el 1 de noviembre y la salida despues de cuatro años de ilegitimidad de esa gestion gris, y ver que todo se estaba escapando de sus manos decidio a como de lugar apagar nuevamente nuestras voces, deseos, derechos y deberes como lo ha venido haciendo a lo largo de estos cuatro años.
No hay que tapar el sol con un dedo los grupos armados en Las Universidad siempre han existido, ojo no solo en La Universidad del Zulia, en todas. Pero un ataque tan vil como el que se llevo a cabo el pasado viernes 2 de noviembre donde nuestra compañera Flavia perdiera la vida, no lo podemos seguir permitiendo, solo hay que ver un poco mas alla de lo evidente y darse cuenta quien esta detras de ese ataque adivinen quien?? el personaje de quien les he hablado.
Veamos los hechos de quien son los heridos?? quienes protestaban por que las elecciones se dieran?? quien asumio una posición muy comoda ante la suspensión de las elecciones??.
Entonces compañeros no seamos ciegos no nos dejemos manipular, aqui hay una sola realidad, nuestro maximo dirigente estudiantil PARTICIPÓ del ataque tan vil del cual fuimos objeto, y como son especialistas en manipular la información vamos a ver de ahora en adelante como este personaje (JULIO SOTO) y el ilustre Rector de NUESTRA UNIVERSIDAD "DR. LEONARDO ATENCIO" salvaran su culpa y trataran a como de lugar INCRIMINAR al actual candidato y virtual ganador de LA FCU, veremos como lo culpan de los hechos aprovechando este video tan oportuno pero a destiempo, se por demas que van a intentar expulsarlo de la universidad inclusive con la ayuda de personas que se encuentran en el poder nacional.
Por eso hoy los invito compañeros a ver un poco mas alla de nuestras narices, no permitan que nos manipulen, forjen su criterio y opinen, no permitamos que las autoridades y estos pseudo dirigentes sigan manipulando nuestras mentes, y mucho menos nuestra esencia estudiantil.
QUE VIVA LA ACADEMIA Y LOS JOVENES LUCHADORES DE NUESTRA HISTORIA!!!!!!!!
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS!!!!!!!
QUE VIVA LA UNIVERSIDAD!!!!!!!!!

-snip-

nerio negron
maracaibo, venezuela - Domingo, 4 de Nov de 2007. 2:19 am
asi es yorman barillas y julio soto,,, son los unicos responsables y todo por la ambisión de la mafia del boleto estudiantil,,, yorman y julio asesinos delincuentes,,, soy estudiante de la universidad del zulia y desde ahora no nos callaran,,, pedimos al gobierno la intervención de la universidad,,,

http://www.radiomundial.com.ve/yvke/noticia.php?892

edit - link

[Judi Lynn]

108. Hope you have seen the most recent findings in his story. He was up to his

round little eyes in crime, according to the latest information.

Glad you looked beyond the opposition media!

[Satyagrahi]

56. Julio Soto allegedly involved with local "ticket mafia".

Soto was the president of the Federación de Centro de Estudiantes (FCU), and the FCU is in charge of distributing public transport tickets to more than 85.000 students in Zulia. Julio Soto was allegedly involved with a "ticket mafia" of 50-100 students and local officials that sold the tickets instead of distributing them:

Mafia de tickets. El jefe de Polimaracaibo destacó que el sicariato es la tesis que más cobra fuerza en este caso debido a que no hubo enfrentamiento ni intento de robo y los asesinos dispararon sin mediar palabra.

Delgado no quiso adelantar si el crimen está vinculado con la supuesta mafia en LUZ por la compra-venta de los tickets del pasaje estudiantil que controlarían las autoridades de la FCU y que presuntamente les reporta millones de bolívares al mes.

El comisario González indicó el año pasado -tras la detención de un estudiante de Veterinaria con 12.000 pasajes estudiantiles- que presumían que representantes regionales de Fontur están involucrados en una mafia que al parecer produce un millón de bolívares fuertes al mes y en el cual también participarían entre 50 y 100 estudiantes de LUZ.

http://www.entornointeligente.com/resumen/resumen.php?id=736478

Google translation:

Ticket mafia. The head of Polimaracaibo stressed that the hired killers that is more thesis is emerging in this case because there was no confrontation or attempted robbery and the murderers fired without saying a word.

Delgado did not want to move forward if the crime is linked with the alleged mafia in light of the purchase and sale of passenger tickets of students who would control the authorities of the FCU, and that brings them presumably million bolivars a month.

Gonzalez said the commissioner last year, following the arrest of a student of Veterinary Medicine with 12,000 student tickets, which assumed that jersey regional representatives are involved in a mafia that allegedly produces one million strong bolivars per month and which also involve between 50 and 100 students from LUZ.

“Entre 50 y 100 estudiantes de LUZ negocian con el boleto estudiantil”
-snip-

Aseveró que mensualmente, estas mafias pueden manejar, con la venta y porte ilegal de estos tiques, cerca de un millardo de bolívares.

Declaraciones

Estas aseveraciones las afirmaron fuentes ligadas al diario PANORAMA, quienes expresaron que miembros de varios grupos políticos dentro de LUZ están implicados en este conflicto.

Los informantes aseguraron que el presidente de la Federación de Centro de Estudiantes (FCU), Julio Soto, y Yorman Barilla, vicepresidente, presuntamente estén inmiscuidos en las irregularidades y trabajen en conjunto con Gelvis Rivas, quien fue destituido como coordinador de Fontur- Zulia hace meses.
-snip-

(Tomado de Panorama, 22/06/2006, elaborado por Paúl Ramírez Mora).-

http://boletin.uc.edu.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1417&Itemid=7

Google translation:

"Between 50 and 100 LUZ students negotiated with the student tickets"
-snip-

He asserted that every month, these mafias can manage with the illegal possession and sale of these tickets, close to a billion bolivars.

Statements

These sources said the allegations related to the newspaper PANORAMA, who expressed that members of various political groups within LUZ are involved in this conflict.

The sources said that the chairman of the Center for Student Federation (FCU), Julio Soto, and Yorman Barilla, vice president, are allegedly interfered in the irregularities and work together with Gelvis Rivas, who was ousted as coordinator of jersey-Zulia months ago. 50 and 100 students from LUZ.
-snip-

(From Panorama, 22/06/2006, produced by Paul Ramirez Mora)

That could explain why he was so keen to stay on as president (possibly quite a lucrative job), allegedly even using violence to prevent elections, and why other groups were keen to replace him (there are many angry comments on local discussion forums like www.elbrollo.com/luz).

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[StClone]

38. It's not like they sit around waiting for a Chavez post

Well maybe they do. But that doesn't mean their opinions are pure bile. Well maybe it is. That doesn't mean they don't know what they are talking about. Well maybe they don't. Hey! I just realized something...

[Zorro]

49. Let's see what the investigation reveals

Unfortunately violent murders are not uncommon in South America. People get shot for a variety of reasons.

[EFerrari]

50. That's true. And the Chavez government has no history of political assassinations. n/t

[Zorro]

52. Well, there's always a first time

But I prefer to see what evidence is uncovered instead of making a rush to judgment.

[Pavulon]

54. Neither did the CIA

for a long time. And we put bodies in holes and covered them with lime on a regular basis.

You think the man in red would not kill someone to maintain power.

[EFerrari]

62. Our history of political assassination may go all the way back to

arsenic at Jamestown according to a correspondence between Spain and one Arundel.

There is no reason to go after someone like this kid who is simply someone's tool. It nets nothing. It's much more likely he got in over his head with local thugs.

It's still sad to see something like this, regardless.

[ronnie624]

69. Actually,

the CIA has been committing assassinations almost from the very beginning.


CIA records on assassination planning in Guatemala were first gathered pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed in 1979. All of them were withheld on national security grounds at that time. In 1995, the CIA's historical staff "rediscovered" these records during a search of Guatemala materials to be declassified as part of the agency's "Openness" program. A staff historian, Gerald Haines, was assigned to write this brief history of these operations. He concluded that as early as January 1952, CIA headquarters began compiling lists of individuals in Arbenz's government "to eliminate immediately in event of successful anti-Communist coup." Planning for assassination included budgeting, training programs, creation of hit teams, drafting of target lists of persons, and transfer of armaments. Haines writes that "until the day that Arbenz resigned in June 1954 the option of assassination was still being considered." The CIA, according to this history, did not implement its assassination strategy. But the declassifiers of this study, and other related documents, have deleted the names of the targeted individuals, making it impossible to verify that none of them were killed during or in the aftermath of the coup.

<http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB4/>

[Judi Lynn]

71. Thanks for posting this group of documents. Going to keep them for future reference. n/t

[Umbriage]

57. the CIA is known for staging incidents and blaming the left

In Latin America.
They even suggested blowing up planes and boats and blame the Cubans, though Kennedy rejected this.

[robcon]

77. Chavez is paranoid about opposition in Venezuela.

And it's not like they haven't closed down opposition to their administration. And it's not like they didn't make a hero out of Castro and Guevara, whose stock-in-trade was political assassination, or arrest and execution, of their political enemies.

I think an assumption that he was silenced by the Chavez administration is a reasonable one - much stronger basis for believing, like some here, that the CIA did it.

I don't expect anything but a political outcome for the investigation from Chavez and his cronies. So perhaps we'll never know.

[ronnie624]

78. The Bolivarian government has no history of committing assassinations.

'Castro assassinated political enemies, therefore so does Chavez', is a logical dead end. The claim that Chavez "closed down opposition" is just blatantly false, and has been proven so, repeatedly.

Do you have anything other than an "assumption" that depends entirely on simply making things up?

[EFerrari]

82. The opposition has been caught over and over red handed.

It's not paranoia if they're actually trying to kill you. And, as ronnie notes, Chavez didn't off the coup plotters. In fact, many of them got amnesty. So, the comparison to CIA is sort of ridiculous.

[RedCloud]

81. I have been gone too long.

First off do you recall Carmona? The exec who tired to take over Venezuela with a golpe de estado against Chávez? He got put under house arrest, not in front of a firing squad.

Chávez talks about CNN and its dirty linking him...


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=39a_1196563765

For those of you fed up with the estiércol in this thread, les presento
Alí Primera...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lCS60pVka8

[Judi Lynn]

94. More on this schoolboy, from a Spanish article, google translated:

Opined: What lies behind the murder of Julio Soto?
Thursday October 2, 2008
10:17 AM | The deplorable death of a student leader Julio Soto is behind a series of Dimes and forth to entangle the assumptions and divided opinions.

The Panorama newspaper, devoted an entire page to the case of crime committed yesterday against Julio Soto, president of the FCU at the University of Zulia. It highlights that Soto had previously received constant death threats. He was linked with the scam of tickets student at the University of Zulia, his home had been raided and that is why he had been living in different hotels in the city.

By knowing the fact that on the afternoon of Wednesday, the Interior and Justice Minister, Tarek The Aissami, repudiated this afternoon the assassination of the president of the FCU of light, Julio Soto, and indicated that it had ordered the evacuation of a committee of the ICCP to advance the investigations. It also called for peace and not to use this fact to generate violence.

During these statements, the anchor of VTV who interviewed the minister suggested in a question whether the killing of student leader could be the result of so-called acts of violence by opposition groups:

Quote:
Anchor VTV: You have some information of how the student is in the west, especially when we understand that this student, Julio Soto, president of the FCU, representing an opposition political party and not denied to anyone that students of opposition have been promoting acts that go against the laws and tranquility in Venezuela. How is the environment (...) in the west of the country, specifically in Maracaibo?

The minister Aissami: Well, regardless whether you are a student leader of the opposition, here is an objective fact is that a young Venezuelan was killed (...) a Venezuelan leader, a student leader (...)

On the other hand, in public forums on the Internet Watch forums linking the killing as a response to the killing of student leader of Justice First, Flavia Araujo, murdered on November 2 of 2007 and also belongs to the University of Zulia.

At that time, investigations of the CICPC clarified that what really happened was a clash between armed bands of the political party Justice First and A New Time. Flavia Araujo was Justice First and Julio Soto was owned by the parties and Copei A New Time.

It is noteworthy that representatives of the Executive and Legislative national demand that the matter not be politicized and that is wait until the investigation "until its last consequences"

Original story:
http://www.cadenaglobal.com/noticias/default.asp?not=192665&sec=77

Some google translated comments after the story from the same site:

Ramon Rivero
4/10/2008
5:17:24 AM
Here there are several things that draw attention as it is possible that a student has one of the most luxurious and expensive pickups on the market. because that relentlessness because until now no opposition displayed by his media power to blame the government here must be another case where the invisible hand but we all know the philosopher of Zulia


Pedro Betancourt
3/10/2008
11:11:34 PM
Let's be objective: To whom it benefits the death of this Venezuelan? If students have been put to protest the killing who had said that they were taking advantage to do guarimba already hinted Al Assaimi? If they had been trained and these disorders were widespread throughout the country and there had been any need to declare a state of emergency or anything like that who would have benefited? Those who are concerned the matter of the briefcase they would like to see him outside of the newscasts and newspapers Venezuela and the world? If a maneuver as the magnisimio and the attempted coup did not have enough impact to make the case and the election of 23n of the news to whom it had happened to launch another red rag to see if they had better luck Why is it that some Venezuelans believe that in view of the calm of the students for failing to hit the red cloth of the assassination has thrown a third red scarf, which is good news of the arrest Baduel Why is it that most of the Venezuelans think the robolución going to lose the majority of the governorships and mayoralties if people come to vote and were left to defend their votes? questions that makes a ....


Rodolfo Rodriguez Adames
3/10/2008
9:26:29 PM
We should not rush to issue opinions to the first exchange. There is something behind all this a student who was admitted to a University at 18 and arrives at the 31 and has not graduated only emphasized in political activities in light to become president of the Federation of University Centers . I feel sorry for his parents who have waited so long to see her son graduate and receive it today without graduating and with more than 10 bullets in his body was regrettable. But as between heaven and earth there is nothing hidden and explained that the young old student enjoying the sweet life marabina of late-model pickup trucks with luxury apartments where their bacchanal toward Rumors True or Who Knows? Contrary to the ideals of Mr politicians. Governor Manuel Rosales who apparently is the boss who controls everything in this state unless the Federation said that was a sin in Zulia. We comment on these matters similar passage of the medium business student and sabotage elections in the NOEC university. There are many questions. We hope the authorities already on the case. Sr. Minister of Justice and Police Corps is the case in their hands has to be responsible and accountable for this heinous act. You can not go unpunished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looks as if these Colombians have a different view of this cherub from that expressed by our corporate media.

[Judi Lynn]

121. Kicking for this information. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

95. Odd article from Caracas discovered late overnight:

This article is a google translation of an article published in Venezuela. The translation is very bumpy, considering it is machine-generated, but it's still possible to get a sketchy idea of what was written in Spanish:

Students investigated by oflight death of Soto
Saturday October 4, 2008
2:26 PM | The daily El Mundo reveals that there are suspicions of university students on the University of Zulia (LUZ), which allegedly involved the murder charge.

Investigations into the death of President of the Federation of University Centers (FCU), who was killed last Wednesday on October 1 in Zulia state, suggest that behind the death on behalf of the student leader, could be implicated a group of students LIGHT university.

According to newspaper revelations of Zulia "Panaroma" and "The World" in Caracas, Julio Soto was driving huge amounts of money in their bank accounts and it is presumed that could be related to the agenda of Passage in the Punjab Pupil. Also, according to statements by close friends of the victim, and those who preferred to remain anonymous, reported in July that Soto had been threatened on several occasions days before his death.

The agencies investigating the case, have conducted several raids but have not yet confirmed the identities of any suspects, but is expected to soon appear before the media the first steps, and those responsible for the killing of student leader.

Investigating bank accounts Soto

Police had investigated the bank being conducted in the president's life FCU, Julio Soto, determining determined that drove a monthly average of Bs.F. 400 mil.

According to investigators, the chairman of the FCU killed was driving Bs.F. 400 thousand monthly.

Overview Noticias24 that the investigation into the murder of Julio Soto found that the student had in their accounts 3 million strong bolivars. "Soto was driving an average of Bs.F. 400 a month, "revealed yesterday one of the investigators of the case.

The pequisas made by the sniffer, "in recent weeks have made a deposit of Bs.F. 200 thousand to one of their accounts. "

While continuing the investigation, was buried yesterday Soto, president of the Federation of University Centers (FCU) of the University of Zulia (LUZ).

Members of the university community, politicians, relatives and friends attended the funeral event, held at 1:00 pm, in La Chinita cemetery.

Dozens of people were invested early in the chapel wake San Alfonso and attended the Mass for the repose of his soul.

At noon, his fellow Christian Democracy movement's University (DCU) loaded the casket and took him to the temple.

With songs, prayers and prayers are performed the religious ceremony. The students placed the urn on the banner of the FCU.

"We raise a prayer to Our Lord receives in July. Does not take into account their weaknesses, but the good works he did, "said the priest.

Soto was killed, 11 bullet wounds in the Oct. 18, last Wednesday. The law student was leaving for an official act of light when it was struck by four assassins who killed him inside his truck Trail Blazer.

In the wake chapel, before departing to the act of burial, Julio Soto, the father of the young, he asked the other student leaders did not lay their struggle until the culprits: "The competent bodies must lead to search for those responsible for this done and get paid for what they did. "

After completed the Mass, a motorcade left the cemetery. Several students of light and the University of Los Andes accompanied Soto to give the last goodbye.

Aymara Rivas, president of the attached FCU-ULA, read a statement: "We extend our heartfelt words of condolence to his relatives, colleagues and friends. We urge the relevant authorities to establish the responsibilities of the case as speedily as possible and urge the student community to show solidarity with the cause. "

David Jaimes, the national leadership of Copei, said: "We are waiting to see what happens, we are confident that the Government and the agencies do their job. We are hoping that the arrests were made, beyond the actual perpetrators, we want the masterminds. "

Luis Ignacio Planas, national secretary of Copei, Cesar Perez Vivas, opposition candidate for governor of Tachira, and Saady Bijani, candidate for governor of Zulia by the party Abriendo Caminos, yesterday attended a wake in the chapel give their condolences to the families . Vivas called on the authorities to work expeditiously. Global chain
Spanish » English Translate

Original with link:
Investigan a estudiantes de LUZ por muerte de Soto
Sábado 4 de octubre de 2008

http://www.cadenaglobal.com/noticias/default.asp?not=192900&sec=5


Tiny, timid scholar,
dearest Julio Soto

This is the tender school lad some
sociopaths would have you believe
has been felled as a martyr to a
terrifying socialist movement
which must be crushed!

Unexpectedly non-flattering prayer the priest gave at his funeral, all things considered!

[Satyagrahi]

96. This is perhaps related to the reports about the local "ticket mafia".

Soto became FCU president in 2003 and he allegedly managed to cancel elections in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (Soto apparently declared in August that there wasn't enough time to hold elections this year, "NO HAY TIEMPO PARA LLAMAR A ELECCIONES ESTE AÑO").

It has now become clear that as president he had access to a lot of money because the FCU was in charge of distributing the Pasaje Estudiantil (student tickets) in Zulia (btw, why does Google translate "Pasaje Estudiantil en el Zulia" as "Passage in the Punjab Pupil"? Very odd indeed).

Even other opposition groups weren't too happy about this. In addition, they accused Soto of being responsible for the violence that killed two students in November last year.

In short, this looks like a case about money and/or revenge, not politics.

[ronnie624]

97. The gist of the article it seems,

is that he was entangled in something rather nefarious, involving lots of money. It will be interesting to see what an investigation reveals.

[Judi Lynn]

101. Venezuela: 3 suspects in student's killing IDed

Venezuela: 3 suspects in student's killing IDed
The Associated Press
Published: October 6, 2008



CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan police have identified three suspects in the killing of a student leader who helped organize protests against a constitutional rewrite proposed by President Hugo Chavez.

Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami says authorities are close to clarifying the Oct. 1 shooting death of University of Zulia student Julio Soto.

El Aissami said Monday that "the investigation has advanced significantly." He did not elaborate on the suspects' alleged involvement in the killing.

Some government opponents believe that Soto was the victim of a politically motivated contract killing. They note that assailants sprayed his vehicle with gunfire and then fled without taking anything.

Soto was a member of the Copei opposition party.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/06/news/LT-Venezuela-Student-Killed.php

[Judi Lynn]

103. Investigation is being hampered by the fascist thug friends of certain US moral lepers,

who are trying to intimidate a local paper investigating Julio Soto, the porcine martyr who was "clipped" a couple of weeks ago by entities unknown so far, formally. From a brief snip in a Venezuelan periodical, after being shot through the google translation tool:

The case Panorama

The newspaper Panorama was the subject of a student protest "opposition", threatening to block the departure of staff and printed for distribution, demanding that the journalist responsible for a complaint which charged the murdered Julio Soto's handling of billions amounts of product illicit activities, to reveal its source. I am a defender of freedom of speech and am against any threat against this right in to the Caroni or in the newspaper See, therefore condemn this senseless attack and further the fascist attempt to compel a journalist to reveal his source, which would be the end of investigative journalism.

http://www.correodelcaroni.com/content/view/110590/126/

[Judi Lynn]

104. From El Universal, opposition newspaper:

(This is the English google translation)

Without ruling out disputes in Mafia killing of Soto

The Commission which is investigating the case summoned a group of students from LIGHT

Maracaibo .- One of the scenarios that are reinforced in the assassination of the president of the Federation Campus of the University of Zulia (LUZ), Julio Soto, is his alleged connection with the Mafia student ticket sales, according to members of the special committee of the National Assembly investigating the case in the western entity.

"The armed groups and fighting between gangs over the corruption that has generated the sale of student tickets is one of the major problems that exist within the University of Zulia. This is going to determine in any case the Attorney General the Republic and the CICPC. There's also the minister of Interior and Justice has already been addressing the issue, "said Congressman Edgar Lucena, who leads the parliamentary inquiry.

"This program (selling tickets) has been kidnapped by gangs who are living in light and being enriched by this. They are power groups vying for the chairmanship of the Federation of University Centers, which are also associated with the cooling of stolen vehicles within the university facilities and the collection of vaccines, "added the official gubernametal.

Jenny Cedeno, president of the Parliamentary Bloc Zulia, he added that "actually there are several scenarios with which they are working and one of them is the delicate situation that affects students, as is the student ticket."

The director of Polimaracaibo, Jose Gonzalez, said that there have been new raids in search of more evidence. Among the academics who have been called to testify by the investigating committee and the CICPC are: Milagros Paz, president of the Center for Students in the School of Social Communication; Yorman Barillas, a candidate for the FCU by the movement Initiative 13; Misael Cardozo, belonging to the DCU, and Ronny Prieto.
Spanish » English Translate

Sin descartar disputas de mafias en asesinato de Soto
La Comisión que investiga el caso citará a grupo de estudiantes de LUZ
http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/10/09/pol_art_sin-descartar-disput_1084564.shtml

[Judi Lynn]

105. Contract murdered victim's cell phone implicates him in drug trafficking, stolen cars, tickets

Google translation of article posted in opposition newspaper, El Universal:

CICPC said that selling tickets was the motive for the murder of Soto

Maracaibo .- "The mobile phone that so far it appears from the investigation into the murder of Julio Soto is the illegal sale of student tickets," revealed on Tuesday at a news conference the director general of the Corps of Scientific Research, Criminal and, Marcos Chavez, as outlined the daily Panorama on its website.

The police chief explained at the headquarters of the security agency in Maracaibo, that the investigation is directed in accordance with three lines: drug trafficking, car theft and illegal sale of student tickets. In the end, he said, all converging on the same criminal organization and in the same cell phone.

Said the ballistics tests and the results of the expert performed on Soto and his pickup truck, among others, are the elements that sustain the initial request for arrest warrants that were issued Monday afternoon by the Tenth Court of Control Zulia.

Among those mentioned are police officers, civilians and businessmen, all related to the sale of student tickets. "Those who are requested to reside, work and operate in Maracaibo. We assume that others will soon be issued arrest warrants," he said.

A source linked to the investigation said that among the eight required three policemen last name Alvarez, Creole and Monroy, two brothers Mendez, a few brothers Gaza, and another subject named Godoy.

http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/10/15/sucgc_art_cicpc-dice-que-venta_1095243.shtml

[Judi Lynn]

106. More heartbreaking news in the final pages of this young man's history:

(google translation of article written in Caracas opposition newspaper)

CICPC: Mob murder of student leader is the illegal sale of student tickets
09:27 AM Maracaibo .- The mobile so far emerged from the investigation into the assassination of the president of the Federation of Student Center at the University of Zulia, Julio Soto, is the illicit sale of student tickets.

This was stated by the director general of the Corps of Scientific Research, Criminal and (CICPC), commissioner Marcos Chavez, during a press conference hosted in the capital Zulian, ABN reported.

In that sense, commented that according to investigations so far, three elements are handled in the case, such as: drug trafficking, vehicle theft and illegal sale of student tickets.

The director of police agency, explained that the results of the expert who conducted a leader in life outside of the Social Christian party Copei, as well as the respective inquiries, represent the elements that support the application of the first arrest warrants that were issued by the Tenth Court of Control of Zulia, on Monday.

He noted that the investigations continue, given that in this case, allegedly linking police officers and civilians, as well as businessmen, all related to the sale of student tickets.

"Those who are requested to reside, work and operate in Maracaibo. We assume that others will soon be issued arrest warrants, "he said.

Cicpc: Móvil de asesinato de líder estudiantil es la venta ilícita de tickets estudiantiles
http://deportes.eluniversal.com/2008/10/15/suc_ava_cicpc:-movil-de-ases_15A2070853.shtml

[ronnie624]

110. So, he was apparently involved in numerous illegal activities,

and Hugo Chavez didn't really have him assassinated after all. Why am I not surprised?

What are "student tickets"? Ive searched, but I can't find any English language articles on this incident.

Did you see the post below?

:rofl:

[Judi Lynn]

111. So driven to get a good kick in at an elected leftist leader they nearly wet themselves,

and misfired altogether. What a pity.

The student tickets idea seems to have something to do with selling passes or something to the college students which would allow them to travel around town on the buses for a greatly reduced price. That seems to be the gist of it I got from reading the early local articles after running them through the google translator tool.

I think they have been legitimate, but were probably being sold on a black market by this clown fine young 31 year old college kid who was also connected to stolen cars, drugs, and general mayhem, while officially acting as an official in a student political opposition group, one of the ones which trapped those student Chavez supporters in a building on campus last year, and then attempted to literally smoke them out by setting fires around the place, and even inside the building. This all happened in the run-up to the referendum in December.

[ronnie624]

114. Thanks.

There's no surprise in the fact that Reuters, AP and such have no interest in this story.

[wvbygod]

107. The needs of the many outweigh the life of a non-believer

Looks like Hugo is getting serious about his power trip. Hope this is not a trend starting.

[Judi Lynn]

109. How do you connect this "student's" criminality to Hugo Chavez?

Please take the time to illuminate DU'ers.

In case you haven't noticed, POLICE men, and local Zulia BUSINESS MEN are under arrest for this murder. In an anti-Chavez state, that most clearly does NOT involve Hugo Chavez.

[wvbygod]

115. I didn't know getting murdered made the victim a criminal

But I am willing to learn to not be that victim.

[Judi Lynn]

116. Your reading comprehension could use some work. No one said that.

You're attempting to kick up a scuffle, but you need to have reality on your side to get that accomplished. The facts don't support your attempted claim there is anything political in his murder. Quite the contrary. The facts point to his having been involved in several kinds of criminal activity at the time someone put out a contract on him.

Do your part, and read the information available on the story, the way everyone else does.

[Jack Rabbit]

112. Señor Presidente, somebody is responsible for this and should be held accountable

El señor Soto may have been a thorn in your side, but that is no reason not to do justice by him.

Recently, you noted how you have liked the recent actions of "comrade" Bush, who has nationalized financial institutions to keep the entire system from breaking down. Now, you wouldn't want this tyrant of el Norte paying you a similar complement for the way you hold your opponents' murderers accountable, would you? That is Bush League justice, not justice fit for social democracy.

[Judi Lynn]

113. What keeps you from being aware they have already arrested 8 people,

and expect more arrests to follow?

That information is already posted in this thread.

Where have you read the information Julio Soto was a thorn in Hugo Chavez' side? It would be so doubtful Chavez ever even heard of the fat bastard before he was murdered.

Did you not take the time to note that Hugo Chavez already announced his government would search for the killers? Well, by god, they GOT the killers, and will be arresting the others.

Do your homework, get a handle on what you're attempting to discuss FIRST, then post.

[Name removed]

117. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Judi Lynn]

118. They're trying to pretend there aren't any articles like this one, from the HUGE Venezuelan paper,

(for the opposition, of course!) El Universal:

CICPC said that selling tickets was the motive for the murder of Soto
Maracaibo .- "The mobile phone that so far it appears from the investigation into the murder of Julio Soto is the illegal sale of student tickets," revealed on Tuesday at a news conference the director general of the Corps of Scientific Research, Criminal and, Marcos Chavez, as outlined the daily Panorama on its website.

The police chief explained at the headquarters of the security agency in Maracaibo, that the investigation is directed in accordance with three lines: drug trafficking, car theft and illegal sale of student tickets. In the end, he said, all converging on the same criminal organization and in the same cell phone.

Said the ballistics tests and the results of the expert performed on Soto and his pickup truck, among others, are the elements that sustain the initial request for arrest warrants that were issued Monday afternoon by the Tenth Court of Control Zulia.

Among those mentioned are police officers, civilians and businessmen, all related to the sale of student tickets. "Those who are requested to reside, work and operate in Maracaibo. We assume that others will soon be issued arrest warrants," he said.

A source linked to the investigation said that among the eight required three policemen last name Alvarez, Creole and Monroy, two brothers Mendez, a few brothers Gaza, and another subject named Godoy.

CARACAS, miércoles 15 de octubre, 2008 | Actualizado hace 5'

Votar ¡Gracias por Votar!
(3.75) 4 votos

Cicpc dice que venta de tiquets fue el móvil del asesinato de Soto
http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/10/15/sucgc_art_cicpc-dice-que-venta_1095243.shtml

It's probably eating up right-wingers that their own vicious right-wing newspaper is having to admit this guy's murder can't be turned to their use as hate-smear against any leftists, but came from within their own ranks, a slaying of an obvious dreg, right-wing opportunist, crook, and thug. 31 years old, still going to school, selling student bus tickets outside the law, dealing drugs, stealing cars. None of it hard work which would cause him to have to do any real exercise and drop a few tons, obviously.

Here's more:

~snip~
According to CICPC investigators, the call history and number directory in Soto's cell phone reveal that Soto had contacts with members of the Zulia state police who are also involved in the illicit production and sale of government-subsidized student transportation tickets.

In addition, Soto had three million bolivars ($1.4 million) in his bank account at the time of his death, and had received a deposit of 200,000 bolivars ($93,000) in the weeks before his death, CICPC investigators said.

Moreover, on his personal blog, Soto had written that he received death threats a week before his murder, a fact confirmed by his fellow student leaders.

The blog also showed Soto's ties to two opposition parties, COPEI and Un Nuevo Tiempo, which have been in conflict over party candidates and political agendas for the upcoming regional and local elections.

It is suspected that Soto was killed by a hired assassin involved in the mafia that regulates illicit business activity within the university. Interior and Justice Minister Tarek El-Aissami announced Monday that three suspects had been identified.

David Jaimes, a national coordinator of COPEI, of which Soto was a member, said Monday, "We are waiting to see what happens. We confide in the government and its institutions to do their job."

Meanwhile, the March 13th Movement, an opposition student organization at the University of the Andes (ULA) in the city of Merida, stepped up their violent protests against the government after a student from the criminology department at the ULA was shot to death in the early morning Friday.

The M13 stopped a public garbage truck and a private milk delivery truck in the middle of a major avenue near the ULA Law School, stole the dairy products in the milk truck, and burned the two vehicles, cutting off traffic for more than a day.

El-Aissami informed the press Friday that the murder of the student, Oscar Contreras, involved the consumption of alcohol, and was the result of a personal conflict unrelated to the murder of Soto.

On Monday, 11 suspects in Contreras's murder were detained. They are all members of a group known for robbery and hired assassinations, and a pistol found in possession of one suspect was linked to the shooting, according to investigators.

"We were able to solve this case of violence in record time with the cooperation of the intelligence division of the Merida state police," said Minister El Aissami.

In addition, El Aissami launched the "Merida Security Plan," which will step up policing operations together with intelligence teams and the National Guard in operations modeled on the Caracas Security Plan that began earlier this year.

More:
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/3857

[clixtox]

123. Thank you, Judi Lynn...

for taking the time to rebut these predictable ignorant, embroiling posts, from the usual suspects, who apparently cannot read and/or comprehend the previous posts in this thread and all of those threads before about Venezuela/Hugo Chavez through the years. I appreciate your patience and willingness to share legitimate information from sources with links. You provide informative, useful perspectives on our progressive southern neighbors and their inspirational leaders.

I wonder what motivates these dozen or so provokers on DU? They are painting themselves more and more as absolute cement heads while regurgitating mindless Neo-Con talking points. They NEVER have any corroboration, just provocative idiocy in a sentence or two.

They are obviously not getting paid by the word for their feeble, flimsy flim flam. .

For what? Why bother? To wear down those who point out their posted mistaken information like the usual "Hugo Chavez is a dictator" BS.

Perhaps one of those DUers who make these calumnious assertions will divulge their motivation(s).

Anyone?

You know who you are!

[Judi Lynn]

125. You know the right-wing has had the upper hand a long, long time. They crave power,

the chance to have an unfair advantage over others, and when they get it, they always abuse it, with no exceptions.

One of those guys was caught on another thread at a totally different site boasting about his high degree of "success" (for a radical right-winger) here, and it was posted last year, I think. He has succeeded in getting into a position since then he can delete threads, and move them to other forums. I'm sure it was an accomplishment he savored.

Some victory, isn't it?

I'm sure you could pay most DU'ers to waste their time at a right-wing site. You don't want to associate with idiots and fools and social criminals, right? Sheesh.

[Name removed]

119. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

120. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

124. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.