‘We represent the truth’

Posted on Saturday, 05.17.14

'We represent the truth'
BY HELEN AGUIRRE FERRÉ
HAGUIRREFERRE@GMAIL.COM

On the day of his 43rd birthday, Leopoldo López was not allowed to see
his family. The popular opposition leader has been imprisoned in
Venezuela since February under trumped-up government charges that he is
leading a violent movement against the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.

López is the face of the "Voluntad Popular" party, which has inspired
mass demonstrations, mostly with university students who are frustrated
by the disastrous economic policies that have bankrupted the
once-wealthy country. Tragically, the protests have turned violent as
Maduro's forces try to coerce and disband the unarmed protesters.

Officially, 42 have been killed and 800 injured. More than 2,000
students have been illegally detained. Human Rights Watch has denounced
the systematic repression of the protesters and found evidence that many
students were physically and psychologically abused — and in some cases
tortured.

Still, the students are not cowed, and neither is Leopoldo López,
according to his wife, Lilian Tintori. "Leopoldo has been unjustly
imprisoned in a military jail for raising his voice, for dreaming of a
different Venezuela, a country where people's needs are met and problems
solved," says Tintori. "That is the only reason that he is jailed."

López has done that and more. He has shown that Maduro is a clumsy and
incompetent dictator incapable of managing the country's basic needs.
Food shortages, spiraling inflation and violence are the norm in this
once self-sufficient country.

For López, that is unacceptable. He challenges Venezuelans to be true to
their values and rich history by rejecting the status quo and restoring
the true rule of law. He knew he would be arrested for that, but rather
than flee, as many do, López turned himself in. It is a huge political
gamble that could cost him dearly.

"Leopoldo is convinced that the steps he took were necessary to wake up
Venezuelans who had grown disillusioned and resigned to a country where
the needs of the people do not matter, the crime and violence is rampant
and the economy is in shambles," says Tintori. "The university students
who are peacefully protesting deserve a country with a strong economy
that creates jobs."

Despite the fact that he is in solitary confinement and not allowed to
receive visitors and mail — or even mingle with other prisoners — his
spirits are strong, Tintori assured me.

"Leopoldo is very strong spiritually, physically and mentally. He spends
most of his time reading philosophy, economics, the history of Venezuela
and liturgical readings from El Pan de la Palabra Diaria." Although they
are a faithful family, it is clear to them that the sacrifices they
endure and the injustices they suffer are not unique: Many Venezuelan
families face similar situations.

"The problem of one is the problem of all," says Tintori. "Someone is
killed in Venezuela every 20 minutes. Sadly, life in my country is not
valued." She says that she speaks on behalf of all Venezuelan women who
wish for a peaceful and prosperous country where one does not live in fear.

"What is at stake in Venezuela is democracy versus dictatorship," she
says. "People need to know what is happening in Venezuela because it can
happen to anywhere in the world."

But that does not mean she is looking for international intervention in
her country, even though Cuba has, for all practical purposes, annexed
Venezuela. What pro-democracy groups in Venezuela need is international
support to give them the overwhelming moral and political strength to go
forward.

So far, they are receiving bipartisan support from the U.S. Senate.
Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee
in that chamber, said that "the government of Venezuela is hiding behind
executive and judicial authority to repress political opposition and
justice is denied to the innocent victims of the violence." Republican
Sen. Marco Rubio is calling for the Obama administration to impose
sanctions against government officials responsible for the abuse.

It's a start, but time is of the essence.

Tintori says: "The government is afraid because we represent the truth,
we stand on what Leopoldo calls the right side of history, we dream of a
better country where peace and progress work hand in hand."

Although she tells me she is not a politician, Tintori says that she is
finding her political voice. Fortunately, it is being heard loud and clear.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/17/4121786/we-represent-the-truth.html