The former president of Venezuela, Jaime Lusinchi, accuses crooked, putschist media mogul Marcel Granier, of RCTV fame, of being a coward. Savor that hilarious bit of irony, folks, because one of its key players is now an ex-parrot:
Jaime Lusinchi, former president of Venezuela, died after a long illness on Wednesday at 90 years of age in Caracas.
Lusinchi, a pediatrician by profession, was director of the Acción Democrática party (AD), and president of the Republic from 1984 to 1989.
He began his term with a stable economic proposal; however, the situation of the land took a critical turn, partly due to the decisions of his COPEI predecessor Luis Herrera Campíns, who applied foreign exchange measures leading to a more than $700 million drop in the reserves of the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).
During Lusinchi’s term, there were also irregularities in the running of the currency exchange system in the Office of Differential Exchange (RECADI), including political parties.
His frequent indisposition or absence in working matters, due to his alcoholism and the consequent delegation of many governmental functions to his private secretary and sentimental companion, Blanca Ibañez, made him an object of public questioning and controversy.As well, Lusinchi maintained a heated, public confrontation with Marcel Granier, director of Grupo 1BC and RCTV, whom he accused of using his communications media to attack [Lusinchi] as retaliation for supposed economic concessions not granted.
Under his rule, two of the crimes against humanity by Puntofijismo in Venezuela took place: the massacre of El Amparo (in the state of Apure), on October 29, 1988; and the Massacre of Yumare (in the state of Yaracuy), May 8, 1986.
At El Amparo, 14 fishermen were murdered by police and military officers in an anti-guerrilla raid ordered by Lusinchi; in Yaracuy, nine civilians were accused of being guerrillas, and murdered by a commission of the old Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services (DISIP).
During Lusinchi’s mandate, the Paseo José María Vargas was built in Caracas, the John Paul II Living Complex in Montalbán the second line of the Caracas Metro railway system, and the Domingo Luiciani Hospital in El Llanito.
The second phase of the Guri Hydroelectrical Centre and the San Agatón Hydroelectrical Centre were completed as well.
Following his term as president, in 1993, the old Supreme Court of Justice ordered him to stand trial after finding indicators of corruption, for which reason Lusinchi fled to Costa Rica and Miami.
Translation mine.
I don’t imagine the late Lusinchi will be much lamented, even though the present-day Venezuelan opposition is comprised in some part of his old Adeco supporters. AD and COPEI are both rumps today, and young fascists have replaced old drunken corruptos (and their “sentimental companions”, which is a nice way of saying mistresses). But perhaps Marcelito Granierito will squeeze out a few impotent crocodile tears just for old times’ sake, eh?
