Oppression Reigns in Venezuala without Free TV

For the last nine years, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has snuffed out free speech, persecuted reporters and political opponents, stacked the courts with his cronies and enacted laws that severely limit content and censored the media.

Chavez’s decision to close RCTV on May 27 is a stark reminder that there is no place for dissent in Venezuela as long as he is in control. But despite the oppressive and thug-like tactics of Hugo Chavez and his henchmen, the demonstrations that have taken place in Venezuela over the past days also show the world that the spirit of freedom is alive and well in the hearts and minds of the Venezuelan people.

America has always been the beacon of freedom in our hemisphere. The United States must do all we can to be the pillar of hope for the people of Venezuela and our friends in neighbors in Latin America who stand in fear in the shadows of the Chavez regime.

That’s why I have sent a letter to the Administration asking them to call on the Organization of American States (OAS) to condemn Chavez’s recent activities, which constitute a clear violation of the Democratic Charter of the OAS.

Secondly, I have called on the Administration to begin working with the OAS for international observers to be allowed into Venezuela. These observers are essential to ensuring that the Chavez regime is not violating basic human rights and so the world may truly know what is transpiring in Venezuela in this time of crisis.