"My father was ready for jail, and that's why he refused to flee" (Venezuela)

[naaman fletcher]

Wouldn't it have been better for Oswaldo to flee to avoid incarceration?
(Santiago) In the hours prior to those events, we had a chance to decide what to do because we had learned beforehand what was going to happen. I did tell him: "Let's get out of here." He had already made it clear that he would not run, but I am his son after all and did suggest it several times. Also, most of the people we spoke with argued that it would not be worth it to surrender. In the end, such warnings were useless, and we were fully aware of it.

Why?
(S) He was ready and knew that it could happen. And it did.

To be imprisoned without knowing for how long?
(Oswaldo, son) One of our greatest tragedies is that we live in fear. For a long time, my father has spoken assertively, knowing that he would sooner or later be held accountable for speaking his mind. Of course, he was jailed for his opinions and, in so doing, authorities have turned opinions into crimes. We would truly like for an open debate on the issue and have him regain his freedom. He is sending out a clear message: some people are not afraid.

http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/04/02/en_ing_esp_my-father-was-ready_02A3681371.shtml

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I always admire prisoners of conscience like Paz:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=405x33945