3 hunger strikers hospitalized in Venezuela

Source: AP

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Ambulances whisked three students to a hospital Monday after they fainted while on a hunger strike to demand an international probe into alleged human rights abuses by President Hugo Chavez's government.

The protesters passed out as paramedics were taking blood samples from demonstrators outside the offices of the Organization of American States, said Enrique Montbrum, health director of Caracas' Baruta district, where the OAS mission is located.

Montbrum told the Globovision TV channel that one of the students temporarily stopped breathing, but later recovered. He said doctors were recommending that the three not rejoin the protest.

The hunger strike appears to be building momentum since it began Jan. 31, gaining dozens of new participants as its organizers attract international attention.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gR4eBoWt-psWBSf5tYHkorlfra3g?docId=9194bd4dec054394b473215d4efc3247

I have never read anything about human rights abuses in Venezuela. I do know that Chavez has powerful well funded enemies who could easily stage such a thing.
I'm suspicious of this story...like to hear from the other side.

to the point of hospitalization all the time, just for the fun of it.

Hard to tell.

To the Jews that live in Venezuela...It was either World Report or Dan Rather Reports on HDNet. (They have some wonderful reports on both shows)

I guess HUGO is trying to run them out through FEAR campaigns...And other strong arm tactics. I guess he is not only setting himself up to be the dictator of Venezuela but he is also anti-semitic. Nice guy!

A source of great confusion...I am not sure why he is held in such high regard around here (DU). Though I am sure someone will enlighten me.

I wonder if Muammar al-Gaddafi will end up living out his life in luxury with his buddy HUGO?

We will see!

A site that is NOT pro-Chavez, NOT anti-Chavez either.

One that gives the JEWISH side of the incidents in Venezuela.

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Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) welcomes Jewish rabbi Isaac Cohen during a meeting with members of the Jewish community in Caracas September 16, 2010. REUTERS

Caracas, Venezuela - Chavez Meets with Jewish Leaders
Published on: September 16, 2010 09:31 PM

Caracas, Venezuela - Leaders of Venezuela’s Jewish community met with President Hugo Chavez on Thursday to discuss their concerns about possible anti-Semitism in state media and to ask the socialist leader to re-establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Venezuelan Confederation of Israelite Associations said its representatives gave the president a dossier containing numerous examples of anti-Semitic messages that have appeared “almost daily, and for several years, in state media and government-friendly media.”

Salomon Cohen, president of the confederation, said he was satisfied with the meeting at the presidential palace in Caracas and told journalists that Chavez promised the group that he would study everything they gave him.


“We reviewed the negative consequences that hateful expressions can lead to and how they can affect the security and integrity of the institutions and individuals that make up the community of Venezuelan Jews,” the organization said in a statement following the meeting.

http://www.vosizneias.com/64390/2010/09/16/caracas-venezuela-chavez-meets-with-jewish-leaders/

he will do...However, this problem has been going on for a while. I am always willing to see what people do because actions speak much louder than words. This does sound like progress because one thing is without question the Jews have been going through much uneeded hell down there. Many have already left Venezuela.

Thanks.

or even the United States in that it has and always will have a smattering of anti-Semitism.

I lived in South America for a large chunk of my adult life and saw anti-Semitism around the continent, in some countries stronger than others. You may recall that in the 90s two Jewish buildings were blown up in Buenos Aires with around 100 people killed and many more injured.

But it is always a tiny number of crazies, as in the case of the synagogue in Caracas where a bunch of thugs who wanted money disguised the robbery as anti-Semitism.

Yes there is always going to be racism & anti-Semitism but the difference is what does the Government do about it. There is a HUGE difference between America & Venezuela! In Venezuela it went beyond the so-called "robbery" ot the Synagouge...Government raids on Jewish Centers, Schools & never given a reason why...Anti-semitic propaganda in government "friendly" (controlled) media...And a failure to do anything about the so-called "thugs" or those who vandalize Jewish Centers.

It was nice to see Chavez meet with Jewish leaders but lets see if conditions improve or if more Jews continue to be forced out of the country due to growing fears.

I cannot speak about of Latin American countries vs Venezuela when it comes to anti-Semiticism but there is simply NO COMPARISON between Venezuela & America when it comes to Anti-Semiticism!

I do not agree with many of the actions of Israel...However, Chavez does go way over the top in his rhetoric which in a round about way gives the green light for "thugs" to go after Jews in Venezuela. Hopefully Chavez will open investigations & punish those who commit crimes against Jews in Venezuela...We will see!

And I sincerely hope no officials meet with them.

those standing up for freedom deserve respect and help. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.

But first last night checked Ven. newspaper El Nacional and El Universal and there was nary a word about strikers being taken to hospital. Strange, because both newspapers are heartily opposed to Chavez.

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The strikers called off the hunger strikes around the country claiming they had achieved their objectives. On Thursday they will meet with government officials and on Friday they will visit a jail with Gov. minister El Aissami.



Luego de 23 días en huelga de hambre, el estudiante Lorent Saleh anunció el fin de la huelga de hambre en todo el país, tras alcanzar varios de los objetivos planteados.

Señaló que los objetivos planteados han sido logrados. Este jueves se reunirán con el gobierno una mesa técnica y el viernes visitarán con el ministro El Aissami la cárcel de La Planta.



---- snip ----


Youths who back the Chavez government showed up yesterday with a charcoal grill and steaks at the OAS offices where several anti-Chavez "students" were carrying out the hunger strike.


The pro-Chavez youths invited the strikers to have some steaks and engage in a political dialogue.

Jóvenes oficialistas hicieron parrilla frente a estudiantes en huelga de hambre en la OEA

En un acto calificado como "una provocación", jóvenes simpatizantes con el oficialismo acudieron con parrilleras y carne a la sede de la Organización de Estados Americanos en Las Mercedes donde se encuentran un grupo de estudiantes en huelga de hambre desde hace 23 días.

"Vinimos aquí para dialogar sobre la Ley de Educación Universitaria y estamos invitándolos a comer carne", dijo el joven.

More for those who read Spanish

http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/186683/Nación/Estudiantes-frente-a-la-OEA-levantaron-huelga-de-hambre-y-aseguran-que-lograron-sus-objetivos