Hollywood, Fla.
The AFL-CIO is gravely concerned about the order of detention issued recently against Carlos Ortega, president of the Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV). The order by the judge, Maikel José Moreno of the Public Ministry, is based on accusations of treason, civil rebellion, instigation of crimes, gang activity and devastation.
These accusations appear to be an attempt to criminalize Mr. Ortega’s exercise of basic civil rights, civil protest and freedom of expression. Such an attempt would violate fundamental human rights guaranteed in the Bolivarian Constitution of Venezuela. Directed at the leader of Venezuela’s principal labor confederation, the detention order also will have a chilling effect on the exercise of freedom of association, guaranteed in the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The AFL-CIO joins with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in condemning any action by the Venezuelan government to criminalize or otherwise restrict the rights of trade unionists, and holds the government responsible for the physical well being of Brother Ortega and all other trade union leaders.
The AFL-CIO is also concerned about the detention of Carlos Fernandez, president of FEDECAMARAS, and urges the Venezuelan government to respect his physical well being and his constitutional and human rights.
The AFL-CIO joins with the International Labor Organization in asking that the arrest warrant against Brother Ortega be withdrawn immediately and that Mr. Fernandez be released. We also condemn the abduction, torture and assassination of four members of the Venezuelan opposition that took place last week and demand that all of those responsible for these heinous crimes be brought to justice.
The AFL-CIO is particularly disappointed that these actions come just as the government of Venezuela has reached an agreement with the Organization of American States (OAS) to reduce the level of political violence in Venezuela. We fear these actions will undermine the negotiation process, with adverse consequences for all Venezuelans. The AFL-CIO urges the Venezuelan government and the opposition to seek to resolve all political differences within the framework of the OAS negotiations and the mediation efforts of the Friends of Venezuela.
Finally, the AFL-CIO reiterates its condemnation of violence, coups and all other anti-democratic methods as means of resolving the grave social and political crisis in Venezuela.