Venezuela Lawmakers Allege Calls Link Opposition to Protests [View All]

Source: Bloomberg

Venezuela Lawmakers Allege Calls Link Opposition to Protests

By Theresa Bradley

May 31 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan lawmakers alleged private, taped phone conversations between members of the nation's political opposition show that veteran politicians are behind a current wave of student protests.

Desiree Amaral, vice president of the legislature, said taped private phone calls, allegedly between members of the opposition and two unidentified speakers, are evidence of the link. She didn't say how she obtained the recordings, which were played on state television this afternoon.

``This is evidence of the participation of the coup- mongering political sector behind the student protests,'' Amaral said, referring to six days of student demonstrations against the May 27 closure of the nation's most-watched TV network, a staunch government critic. Student leaders have repeatedly denied receiving any direction from the opposition.

``They're using kids to say they're just students protesting,'' Amaral said in the Caracas press conference. ``I call on the mothers of Venezuela: Don't let your children risk their lives for a bunch of shameless bandits.''

Telephone messages left with press officers of the opposition A New Time Party, whose leader Manuel Rosales won 37 percent of the vote against President Hugo Chavez Dec. 3, weren't returned.



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