Free Republic

A senior Venezuelan opposition leader has escaped from a military prison, the country's attorney general has said. Carlos Ortega was sentenced to almost 16 years in jail last year after being convicted of inciting unrest during a strike that began in late 2002. He escaped along with three military officers and may have been aided by some authorities, Venezuela's attorney general said. Ortega is known as a fierce opponent of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Lawyer doubts In his role as a key union leader, Ortega, 59, played a central role in the 63-day strike that aimed to oust Mr Chavez...

A Venezuelan court has sentenced one of the most prominent leaders of the opposition to 15 years in prison. Carlos Ortega, who once led powerful trade unions, was found guilty of inciting civil unrest during a strike that began in late 2002. The two-month strike paralysed Venezuela's vital oil industry. Ortega said the verdict was politically motivated, and his lawyers immediately announced an appeal. Ortega was arrested in the capital, Caracas, in March. He was found in possession of identity papers with an assumed name, a police official said earlier. Family members said Ortega secretly returned to Venezuela in last...