Caracas, Oct 8 (EFE).- Workers of the Venezuelan Mayor’s Office of Maracaibo, capital of the Zulia state, live in a “climate of persecution and intimidation,” denounced this Tuesday Vanessa Linares, wife of the mayor of said city, Rafael Ramírez Colina, detained a week ago for alleged corruption.
“In recent days, councilors, directors and career staff of the Maracaibo Mayor’s Office have experienced a regrettable climate of unlimited persecution and intimidation,” Linares said in a video published on X.
She maintained that it is “unacceptable” that “so many families live in a climate of anxiety and that they are not allowed to do what they want to do and have been doing” with her husband Ramírez Colina, which – she assured – is “working for a better city for everyone.” ».
“I am going to dedicate myself to fighting for the truth, which translates into fighting for the release of my husband Rafael Ramírez Colina, who has been unjustly deprived of liberty along with his team, for whom his children are waiting at home,” she added.
Linares indicated that this fight will also be for the “integrity” of the workers of the Maracaibo Mayor’s Office, “who live under the harassment of those who act in a cowardly manner, using power to destroy what has been built with so much effort and honesty.” .
Ramírez Colina is accused by the Prosecutor’s Office of “serious irregular acts” related to corruption, while the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, accuses the opponent of delivering resources obtained through tax collection to “far-right political parties.” .
On Saturday, Linares denounced that the mayor has been prohibited from private defense, in a hearing at the headquarters of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (Sebin), in which his “deprivation of liberty” was ratified.
He then added that “no one” has been able to see Ramírez Colina and it is not known “what condition he is in.”
The mayor is one of the 154 opposition politicians who, according to the opposition party María Corina Machado, Vente Venezuela, are imprisoned in the country, the majority after being apprehended in the weeks before and after the controversial re-election of Nicolás Maduro in the presidential elections of July 28, which has been questioned inside and outside the country.
In these elections, Ramírez Colina supported the candidacy of the majority opposition standard-bearer, Edmundo González Urrutia, and joined the “legitimate citizen request” that the electoral body “publish the results” disaggregated, after the complaint of “fraud” by the anti-Chavismo, which claims that Maduro was defeated in the presidential elections.
.
#Wife #mayor #Maracaibo #detained #denounces #harassment #workers #Mayors #Office
Venezuela climate change policy
Analysis: Climate of Persecution and Intimidation in Maracaibo, Venezuela
A disturbing trend of persecution and intimidation has been reported in the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo, where the mayor’s office is allegedly under siege. According to Rafael Ramírez Colina’s wife, Vanessa Linares, councilors, directors, and career staff of the Maracaibo Mayor’s Office are facing a “climate of unlimited persecution and intimidation” [[1]].
Rafael Ramírez Colina, the mayor of Maracaibo, has been detained for over a week on charges of alleged corruption [[2]]. His wife, Linares, denies these charges and claims that her husband has been “unjustly deprived of liberty” along with his team. She has taken to social media to express her concerns and dedication to fighting for the truth [[3]].
The recent arrest of Ramírez Colina has led to widespread concern about the growing trend of repression against opposition leaders in Venezuela. As per reports, Ramírez Colina was conducting important initiatives in Maracaibo, such as “Destapando la Solidaridad” (Uncovering Solidarity), which aimed to improve the lives of citizens in the city [[1]].
The situation in Maracaibo raises questions about the freedom of speech and human rights in Venezuela. The growing number of detentions and persecution of opposition leaders and their families will likely have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy.
Linares’s statement that her husband is “working for a better city for everyone” highlights the mayor’s commitment to the welfare of the citizens. However, the current climate of intimidation and persecution makes it challenging for the mayor’s office to continue their work.
The national and international community needs to pay attention to this growing trend of repression in Venezuela. The rule of law and human rights must be upheld to ensure that citizens are not subjected to persecution and intimidation.
References:
Disclaimer: The above analysis is based on the provided web search results and may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.
