Ex-police official, suffering from cancer, freed from prison after Chavez’s call for clemency

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Ex-police official, suffering from cancer, freed from prison after Chavez’s call for clemency
By Associated Press, Published: July 21

CARACAS, Venezuela — A former deputy police chief was freed Thursday after spending nearly seven years in prison, following President Hugo Chavez’s call for clemency for prisoners with health problems.

Former deputy Caracas police chief Lazaro Forero had been serving a 30-year prison sentence for complicity in the killings of pro-government demonstrators during protests in 2002.

He has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and Supreme Court president Luisa Estella Morales said he was freed on parole for humanitarian reasons. Forero’s release followed that of another government opponent, Alejandro Pena Esclusa, who also needs cancer treatment.

Chavez on Saturday urged the courts and prosecutors to allow parole or house arrest for inmates with serious ailments. He made the appeal shortly before traveling to Cuba for his own cancer treatment and after prisoners’ relative urged the president to intervene.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/ex-police-official-suffering-from-cancer-freed-from-prison-after-chavezs-call-for-clemency/2011/07/21/gIQAVkjUSI_story.html?wprss=rss_world

[bitchkitty]

1. Compassion for one's enemies.

That he could show mercy towards these criminals, who would likely cheer his death - this is the mark of a great leader.

I'm not surprised that the usual suspects didn't comment on this thread. How could they? What bad thing could you say about a gesture like this?

[Judi Lynn]

2. I'll bet you remember when he pardoned a whole lot of Colombian fighters caught in Venezuela.

Here's the AP story which ran at the time:

Venezuela's Chavez pardons Colombian prisoners accused in plot
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ Associated Press
Aug. 30, 2007, 8:57PM

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez on Thursday pardoned dozens of Colombians imprisoned in Venezuela on charges of involvement in an alleged 2004 plot against his government.

The order to free the 41 prisoners took effect with its publication in the government's official gazette, dismissing their convictions on charges of military rebellion.

Chavez announced his decision to free the prisoners last week as a goodwill gesture during his efforts to help broker an unrelated prisoner and hostage exchange between Colombia's government and leftist rebels.

In May 2004, 118 Colombians were arrested at a ranch outside Caracas. Authorities said they were wearing Venezuelan military uniforms and were suspected of belonging to paramilitary group that was plotting to create chaos in the country and assassinate Chavez.

More:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5097033.html

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/media/images/40133000/jpg/_40133929_paramilitaries_ap_203body.jpg

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com.nyud.net:8090/images/2004/05/paramilitares-baruta5.jpg

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com.nyud.net:8090/images/2004/05/paramilitares-baruta-barracas2.jpg

Their temporary quarters on the ranch
of Cuban-Venezuelan (with Miami ties)
Roberto Alonso, brother of U.S. actress Maria Conchita Alonso.

Venezuela frees Colombians convicted in alleged 2004 plot against Chavez

SAN ANTONIO, Venezuela (AP) — More than two dozen Colombian prisoners arrested three years ago in an alleged plot to assassinate President Hugo Chavez were freed Saturday after being pardoned by the Venezuelan leader.

The 27 Colombians were serving prison terms after being convicted of military rebellion. They were among more than 100 Colombians arrested in 2004 on accusations of plotting to stage a rebellion and assassinate Chavez.

Justice Minister Pedro Carreno, who shook hands with each of the prisoners at a ceremony, said that with Chavez's pardon "a beautiful message is being sent to the world."
The young men were then met by Colombian authorities and boarded a bus to take them across the nearby border to Colombia.

More:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070902_1_A18_spanc37181

[bitchkitty]

3. God, how could I forget?

That was one of many things that Chavez did that put me almost in awe of the man. The Christian right should take note - that was turning the other cheek - that was mercy.

I wish Bradley Manning could receive the same mercy from our President.