[NYTr] Chavez Pardons 41 Colombian Paramilitaries Arrested in 2004

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com


Chavez Pardons Colombian Paramilitaries

Caracas, Aug 30 (Prensa Latina) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias
pardoned 41 Colombian citizens arrested in 2004, accused of forming a
paramilitary group intending operations against Chavez, official
sources informed on Thursday.

The Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela reported that the
Executive decree was based on solidarity and a humanist international
policy and highlighted the need to foster activities engendering social
peace.

Chavez granted the pardon to the 41 Colombians taking into account that
the crime for military rebellion for which they were sentenced last
year, did not imply any human rights violation.

The measure responds to Chavez' announcement on August 20, when he met
with relatives of the people in the hands of the Colombia Revolutionary
Armed Forces (FARC).

ef ccs tac mem

PL-19