As Fears Linger, Venezuelans Press for Truth About Killings During Chavez Protests*** Many of the relatives interviewed said they had isolated themselves until they could work through some of their grief. Others said they had not come forward because they worried that dueling political camps would seize upon the deaths of their loved ones to ignite tensions. Others said that they were afraid. "Things seem so tense that I still don't know if there are people out there who would attack me or my family if we speak," said María Capote, mother of Jesús Espinoza, the dead high school senior. She only agreed to be interviewed after checking with trusted human rights investigators. "The people who killed my son are still out there."
That kind of fear is new, said Liliana Ortega, a leading human rights investigator. Her agency was formed after food riots of 1989, in which hundreds of people were killed. The exact number and identities of the dead have never been confirmed. No one was ever convicted for the killings. Still, Ms. Ortega said, in the days following those riots relatives of the dead quickly began forming support groups and investigative committees. They held news conferences and marches. Since April 11, she said, her office has received threats by telephone and the Internet. Only a handful of the relatives of the dead have filed complaints. "People are afraid," Ms. Ortega said. "That is clear."***
Venezuela Has State Dept. Concerned *** WASHINGTON (AP) - Democracy must once again thrive in Venezuela in order for that country and the United States to have a strong relationship, a State Department official said Friday, two weeks after a coup temporarily ousted President Hugo Chavez. In the past three years under Chavez, the United States has increasingly become concerned about "the health of institutions in Venezuela that are essential to democracy," said Lino Gutierrez, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. "For the U.S.-Venezuela relationship to thrive again, it is essential to revitalize Venezuela's democracy," Gutierrez said. "The U.S. has a serious desire of good relations with Venezuela."***