Escalating persecution forces union and guild leaders to remain in shelter

Puerto Ordaz. The post-election persecution led political and union leaders in Bolívar to not only avoid making public complaints. Many of them have been in office for almost two months under protection.

In Guyana, for example, there are cases of CVG Bauxilum workers who were visited by SEBIN officials.

“When they told me that they were asking for me, I left my house. I left the car there so they couldn’t find me. A friend is the one who helps me by bringing me food. It’s hard because you depend on help from others. I don’t manage my accounts, I can’t sell the products that I used to make ends meet because I can’t go out freely,” said one of the Bauxilum workers who was persecuted.

Although he does not hold a union or political position, he actively participated during the campaign of the leader María Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez in view of June 28.

Escalation of persecution

Sebin patrols were also used as a form of intimidation. This happened with the Ferrominera leader, Rubén González.

For several days there were vehicles from this organization outside his house. The same happened with the president of the Association of Professors of the National Experimental University of Guayana, Uneg, Raúl Brito.

“I took cover because they came to look for me at my house, but I was at a neighbor’s house and I didn’t come out. The police waited for a while until they left. I gathered my things and left. My only crime was being an electoral witness and showing the minutes on social media, and for them that is terrorism,” denounced another victim of persecution.

Self-censorship

Even without being under protection, workers and union leaders, and even politicians, omit their names in any information to the press for fear of being arrested, regardless of the complaint and the tone they use.

Relatives of those arrested are also keeping quiet, despite not knowing their whereabouts, because they fear further reprisals. The most recent case is that of at least 10 Corpoelec workers in Guri.

The General Directorate of Military CounterintelligenceDgcim, arrested them on September 2. To date it is not known where they are being held. Relatives presume that the reason for the arrest is the “Operation Tun Tun”others point out that they want to use them to hold them responsible for the national blackout of August 29.

The families do not want the names of those arrested to be released. But I can tell you that they are honest people, who have worked for the company for many years. They are highly trained technicians and professionals,” said *Rosalba, who decided to leave the country..