(IPYS/IFEX) – On 23 September 2008, unidentified individuals in a vehicle, who later identified themselves as members of the “La Piedrita” group, threw pamphlets and two teargas canisters at the headquarters of the Globovisión television station in Caracas. Some of the station’s staff members were on the premises at the time of the attack. They […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 23 September 2008, unidentified individuals in a vehicle, who later identified themselves as members of the “La Piedrita” group, threw pamphlets and two teargas canisters at the headquarters of the Globovisión television station in Caracas. Some of the station’s staff members were on the premises at the time of the attack. They were forced to interrupt their work due to the detonation of the canisters and resulting teargas. The incident coincided with the beginning of the campaign for regional elections that are scheduled to take place on 23 November.
In the pamphlets, Globovisión was accused of being “in the service of” the United States. The pamphlets also “declared war” on the television station’s directors, who were listed as military targets for working against President Hugo Chávez. The contents of the pamphlets would indicate that the individuals behind the attack are in all likelihood supporters of the president.
The attack took place after several government authorities accused Globovisión’s director, Alberto Federico Ravell, and the editor of “El Nacional” newspaper, Miguel Henrique Otero, of being involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Chávez.
For further information on the accusations against Ravell and Otero, see: http://ifex.org/es/content/view/full/97050
