Arrests of Chavez critics raises fears over free expression/ HRW y RSF auguran más restricciones a la libertad de prensa

The arrests of an opposition politician and the owner of a television network for statements critical of the government of President Hugo Chavez has rekindled debate here over free speech and democracy in Venezuela..."Having an opinion in Venezuela is a crime punished with the loss of freedom. We reject everything that restricts freedom of expression in the country, and the witch hunts against those who assume dissident positions," said Juan Jose Molina, an opposition member of the National Assembly ( full information)/ Las ONG Human Rights Watch (HRW) y Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF) han mostrado su preocupación por la reciente detención en Venezuela del presidente de la cadena opositora Globovisión, Guillermo Zuloaga, y del ex gobernador del estado Zulia, Oswaldo Álvarez Paz, arrestados ambos por criticar al presidente del país, Hugo Chávez; lo que ha llevado a ambas organizaciones a augurar mayores restricciones en el ejercicio de la libertad de expresión en Venezuela ( información completa)