Venezuela mayor misses court date

[Judi Lynn]

Page last updated at 04:16 GMT, Tuesday, 21 April 2009 05:16 UK
Venezuela mayor misses court date

One of Venezuela's main opposition leaders has failed to appear in court on the first day of his trial on corruption charges.

Manuel Rosales, who ran against President Hugo Chavez in the last presidential election in 2006, is reportedly seeking asylum abroad.

He says the charges are politically motivated and has been in hiding since they were lodged last month.

His party has accused the authorities of using the case for political means.

Mr Rosales, who is mayor of Venezuela's second biggest city, Maracaibo, is facing multi-million dollar corruption charges relating to his time as the governor of Zulia state.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8009448.stm

[rabs]

1. Rosales not out of the woods yet

The Peruvian government has warned Rosales that it will not be used as a "political platform" in response to Morales' appeal for political asylum. Peruvian government to rule on petition within two weeks.

IIRC, some of the 2002 coup plotters against Chavez fled to Peru.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Thanks for the information. Didn't know this about the coup plotting idiots.

It's an unexpected gesture from Alan Garcia.

http://delucio.com.nyud.net:8090/blog/wp-content/images/Alan_Garcia_1.jpg