Global Security Studies Practicum

9 November 2011 Inmates are subdued at a prison riot in Cabimas that killed 22 people. Venezuela’s Supreme Court fined Globovision , the largest opposition TV channel in the country, for allegedly presenting coverage that encouraged violence during a prison uprising that killed 22 people. Globovision has appealed the US 2 million fine to the Supreme Court, saying it will likely force it to cut back news coverage or lead it to bankruptcy. Globovision is the sole remaining anti-Chavez TV Channel after RCTV , another opposition station, was not granted a broadcasting license in 2007. Source:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/americas/anti-chavez-tv-2-million-fine.html (Reliability: 8.5) Comment: Globovision is the only major TV channel that openly criticizes President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela . In recent years, other privately-run TV channels in Venezuela have curbed their criticisms of Chavez as a result of alleged government intimidation. Meanwhile, the Chavez gove...

26 October 2011 Venezuela soldiers guard prison inmates. Inmates at Tocuyito Prison in northeastern Venezuela held 51 hostages on 14 October to demand better prison conditions and the transfer of inmates to other facilities. The 11-day standoff ended after authorities vowed to transfer hundreds of inmates back to El Rodeo prison in Guatiré , where a violent riot in June left 22 people dead and dozens injured. Prisoners demanded the move back to El Rodeo because it is closer to their families and the courts where their cases are being heard. No deaths or serious injuries were reported by local authorities or media. Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/inmates-free-hostages.html Reliability: 8.0 Comment: Overcrowding in Venezuela prisons is commonplace and inmates periodically seize hostages to press their demands. Offical figures show that Venezuela's 30 prisons are designed to hold about 12,000 prisoners but are...