Venezuela: Information on whether authorities are currently seeking persons connected to the February and November 1992 coup attempts
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | VEN17434.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Venezuela: Information on whether authorities are currently seeking persons connected to the February and November 1992 coup attempts, 1 May 1994, VEN17434.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc138.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on whether Venezuelan authorities are currently seeking specific individuals in connection with the February and November 1992 coup attempts could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB. However, in connection to the coup attempts, the Venezuelan defence minister has stated that his ministry has "abolished what seemed to be a practise of investigating and arresting civilians for voicing opinions through the media" (El Nacional 15 Mar. 1994).
Moreover, starting in December 1993, presidential pardons have been issued to numerous military and civilian personnel involved in the coups (Keesing's Dec. 1993, 39774; ibid. Feb. 1994, 39858). In March 1994, it was reported that a draft amnesty law was pending before the Venezuelan congress (El Nacional 15 Mar. 1994).
For information on the extent of the presidential pardons granted and charges stayed, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
El Nacional [Caracas, in Spanish]. 15 March 1994. "Defense Minister Opposes Blanket Amnesty for Coupists." (FBIS-LAT-94-052 17 Mar. 1994, pp. 43-44)
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. February 1994. Vol. 40, No. 2. "Venezuela: Coup Pardons."
. December 1993. Vol.39, No. 12. "Venezuela: Pardons Relating to 1992 Coup Attempts."
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 March 1994. "Exiled Venezuelan Officers Who Launched Failed Coup Leave Peru." (NEXIS)
[Paris, in Spanish]. 16 December 1993. "Velasquez Pardons Officers Involved in 1992 Coup Attempts." (FBIS-LAT-93-241 17 Dec. 1993, pp. 43-44)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 12 April 1992. "President Caldera on Economic Problems, Special Powers, Need for 'Solidarity'." (NEXIS)
. 29 March 1994. "Soldiers Return from Peru to Face Charges of Involvement in 1992 Coup Attempt." (NEXIS)
DPA [Hamburg, in Spanish]. 27 March 1994. "Fails to Rule Out Armed Struggle." (FBIS-LAT-94-059 28 Mar. 1994, p. 73)
. 27 March 1994. "Officers Return from Exile." (FBIS-LAT-94-059 28 Mar. 1994, p. 74)
. 26 March 1994. "President Confirms Release of Coup Attempt Leader." (FBIS-LAT-94-059 28 Mar. 1994, p. 72)
El Globo [Caracas, in Spanish]. 6 February 1994. "Caldera: Stay of Proceedings for Coupists 'On Course'." (FBIS-LAT-94-028 10 Feb. 1994, p. 55)
El Nacional [Caracas, in Spanish]. 15 March 1994. "Defense Minister Opposes Blanket Amnesty for Coupists." (FBIS-LAT-94-052 17 Mar. 1994, pp. 43-44)
. 7 February 1994. "Defense Minister on Coupists' Return, Reintegration." (FBIS-LAT-94-028 10 Feb. 1994, pp. 55-56)
El Universal [Caracas, in Spanish]. 22 December 1993. "Seven Coupist Officers Released, Returned to Service." (FBIS-LAT-93-245 23 Dec. 1993, p. 42)
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. February 1994. Vol. 40, No. 2. "Venezuela: Coup Pardons."
. December 1993. Vol. 39, No. 12. "Venezuela: Pardons Relating to 1992 Coup Attempts."
NortiSur-Latin American Political Affairs. 29 April 1994. "Venezuela: President Rafael Caldera Pardons Military Officers Who Led 1992 Coup Attempts." (NEXIS)
Notimex [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 13 February 1994. "Reactions to Release." (FBIS-LAT-94-030 14 Feb. 1994, pp. 72-73)
Radio Rumbus Network [Caracas, in Spanish]. 26 March 1994. "Chavez Released." (FBIS-LAT-94-059 28 Mar. 1994, p. 72) The United Press International (UPI). 19 March 1994. BC Cycle. "Venezuelan Armed Forces Members to Leave Prison." (NEXIS)
Venezolana de Television Network [Caracas, in Spanish]. 27 March 1994. "President Caldera Pardons 10 More Officers." (FBIS-LAT-94-059 28 Mar. 1994, p. 74)
. 19 March 1994. "President Caldera Continues to Pardon Military Coupists." (FBIS-LAT-94-054 21 Mar. 1994, p. 72)
. 6 March 1994. "Five More Officers Involved in Coup Released." (FBIS-LAT-94-044 7 Mar. 1994, p. 59)
. 24 February 1994. "Retired Officer Involved in Coup Released from Prison." (FBIS-LAT-94-038 25 Feb. 1994, p. 44)
. 23 February 1994. "President Orders Dismissal of Charges Against Coupists." (FBIS-LAT-94-037 24 Feb. 1994, p. 57)
. 13 February 1994. "President Pardons Soldiers." (FBIS-LAT-94-030 14 Feb. 1994, p. 72)
. 11 February 1994. "Defense Minister Outlines Coupists' Options to President." (FBIS-LAT-94-030 14 Feb. 1994, p. 72)
