Chavez opponent under house arrest

Chavez opponent under house arrest

Fernandez's arrest has aroused concern abroad

The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has welcomed a judge's decision to put one of his leading opponents under house arrest.

The head of the employers' association, Carlos Fernandez, is to remain under house arrest while awaiting trial on rebellion and inciting criminal acts. The judge dismissed a third charge of treason.

Mr Fernandez's case has sparked international concern.

But, speaking in his weekly broadcast, Mr Chavez told the world community to stop meddling in Venezuelan affairs.

Charges denied

Mr Fernandez denies the charges against him and says he is being politically persecuted.

But Mr Chavez has described him as a "terrorist and a coup-plotter".

"Let the decision be obeyed; it is the court's order. If it were up to me he wouldn't be at home, he would be behind bars," Mr Chavez said.

I ask all of the countries of this continent and of the world... are you going to stop this meddling?

President Hugo Chavez

He has called for Mr Fernandez to be given a 20-year prison term for his part in a two-month strike, which paralysed the country's oil industry.

A fellow strike leader, Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV) leader Carlos Ortega, is in hiding, saying he will not allow himself to "become easy prey for the current administration".

"It is not possible to come out in public... not only because we might be arrested at any time, but because our physical safety would be compromised," Mr Ortega said in an interview quoted by Venezuelan radio.

International concern

The secretary-general of the Organisation of American States, Cesar Gaviria, has called on the Venezuelan authorities to respect Mr Fernandez's rights and recognise the important role he has played in Venezuelan society.

And the United States has described Mr Fernandez's arrest as a "very worrisome" development that would only increase the political and economic crisis which has beset Venezuela.

Mr Chavez responded on Sunday, saying: "I ask all of the countries of this continent and of the world... are you going to stop this meddling?"