Monday, October 10, 2005

A tale of abuse of power and illegality in the “pretty revolution” Cesar Millan was elected city councilor for the alliance between Chavez’ MVR and MAS in 2000 for the Sucre municipality of Caracas. Millan began denouncing irregularities and the Mayor (who just happens to be the VP’s son) and the other pro-Chavze councilmen began having problems with him. In September of 2001, the Comptroller removed him from office after the City Council had suspended him in his function for being associated with a group opposing the Mayor. But Millan believed in the law, knew that nobody could take away what the electors had given him and went to the First Circuit Administrative Court (Coincidentally the one in which Judge Perkins Rocha who wrote the article below was part of). To ask for an injunction to be reinstated in his elected position. The Court ruled in his favor. Unfortunately, the City Council of Sucre refuse to even acknowledge the injunction issued by the Administrative Court. So, Millan, ever the believer in the system, went to the Venezuelan Supreme Court to ask for an injunction to be reinstated in his position. The Supreme Court also ruled in his favor and asked the City Council to reinstate him. But .he was not reinstated. The Courts decisions were simply ignored. Millan continued his battle by going to the Electoral Council and asking that the election for the Circuit that he had been elected to for four years be suspended, since he had been unable to fill the mandate of the voters. He presented his request in May, the elections took place on August 7th. and Millan has yet to hear from the CNE. This is also a clear violation of the administrative procedures law that says any public office that your request something from has to respond to you within fifteen days. But who do you go to in these cases? Decisions in this case seem to come directly from the top, how else can the VP's son manage to ignore decisions by teh Supreme Court without anything happening to him? Of course, Chavez's supporters will likely use the common excuse these days to justify the incompetence of the Government: I bet Chavez does not know anything about this! This is what happens when independent powers disappear. This is what happens when autocrats pull all of the strings of power in a country or a society. Is this democratic? Wait until it affects you, no matter if you are pro or against Chavez! 11:27:27 PM    comment []

A story of orchid obsession I usually write posts in this section and just post pictures in my orchid section, but this time there is a story to this beautiful picture, so check it out: 10:34:32 PM    comment []