The Wall Street Journal reports:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez moved to jail a prominent opposition figure for the second time in recent weeks, an apparent bid to tighten his grip on power amid a sharp downturn in economic growth.
Raúl Baduel, a former defense minister-turned-Chávez-critic, was arrested on corruption charges Thursday, according to Mr. Baduel’s lawyer, Omar Mora Tosta, and government officials. Mr. Mora Tosta says the charges are unfounded. . .
Government officials say the actions against Messrs. Baduel and Rosales are the result of legitimate investigations into their financial dealings when they held public office.
Some observers, however, say the moves illustrate how Mr. Chávez is using government institutions to punish political opponents. “All available information suggests that this is selective prosecution motivated by political reasons,” says José Miguel Vivanco, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Americas program. Mr. Vivanco says he was expelled from Venezuela at gunpoint last year after releasing a report critical of Mr. Chávez. . .
The sudden economic slowdown has forced Mr. Chavez to curtail spending and raise taxes — two measures that will hurt the poor and could dent his popularity. Some economists say currency devaluation may be next.
Mr. Chávez appears to be striking at chief opponents before they can use the worsening economy against him, observers said.
Well, at least Chavez’s opponents aren’t turning up dead, like Putin’s.
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