Human Rights Court Favors Venezuela Opposition Leader

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5 October 2011

Leopoldo Lopez
Leopoldo Lopez talks to media outlets.
Dow Jones Newswires (CARACAS) – The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) ruled in favor of opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez on 17 September, allowing him to run in Venezuela’s upcoming 2012 presidential elections. Venezuelan officials barred Lopez from seeking public office in 2005 through 2014 under allegations of mishandling public funds and corruption. Supporters of Lopez argue the charges are a ploy to prevent him and other opposition politicians from running for office. General elections are slated for 7 October 2012 amid questions regarding President Hugo Chavez’s health.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110916-712977.html
(Reliability: 9)

Comment: Despite the IACHR’s ruling in favor of Lopez, Venezuelan officials under President Chavez have ignored the court’s rulings in the past and banned presidential hopefuls from running for office. Lopez is emerging as one of the top contenders in the upcoming primary vote scheduled for 12 February, when a single unity candidate will be selected to challenge President Chavez. Although the president remains popular among the country’s working class and poor, there is a high probability elections will be closely contested given current electricity and housing shortages, rising inflation, stagnant economic growth, and rampant crime.

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