Venezuela: The political party Voluntad Popular, its structure, as well as its main positions and officials; the conditions to become a party member, including a description of the membership card; the treatment reserved for members of this political party by the authorities (2013-September 2014)

1. Overview

According to the website of Voluntad Popular ["will of the people"], the origins of the political party date back to 2004, when networks (redes populares) [1] were implemented to [translation] "promote social action and social leadership" (Voluntad Popular n.d.d). In 2009, youth, members of the working class and community, social and political leaders met to create a political movement dedicated to social action (ibid.). On 5 December 2009, 10,000 activists gathered at the stadium in Valencia [capital of the state of Carabobo] and presented the movement, called Voluntad Popular (ibid.).

On 14 January 2011, Voluntad Popular was officially recognized as a political party by the National Electoral Council (Consejo nacional electoral, CNE), the organization responsible for the electoral process in Venezuela (Venezuela n.d.a; Voluntad Popular n.d.d). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The statutes of Voluntad Popular use the name Voluntad Popular Activistas [literally: "Voluntad Popular Activists," and not "activists of Popular Will"] when they state the party name (ibid. Apr. 2012). According to the statutes, the official party colours are orange and white; the party symbol is a white "V" in the centre of an orange circle (ibid., Art. 4).

The Voluntad Popular manifesto states that the party is [translation] "a plural and democratic social and political movement that seeks to bring together Venezuelans to work towards peace, freedom and democracy" and to "build a more secure, united and prosperous country where everyone will be entitled to all rights" (ibid. 14 Jan. 2011, 5). The manifesto describes the three principles of the party as follows:

[translation]

We, the activists of Voluntad Popular, are progressive; for this reason, we defend three cardinal principles:

We are democrats and we participate in politics;

We stand together and are fair and active in society; and

We are inclusive, responsible and pragmatic in the economic sector (ibid., 6).

In addition, the manifesto lists the nine values of the party's activists: life, freedom, equality, justice, peace, diversity, honesty, solidarity and responsibility (ibid.).

In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a national leader of Voluntad Popular stated that his party includes [translation] "over 400,000 activists," spread across "the 24 states [Venezuela has 23 states and one district, Caracas, the capital], 335 cities and over 900 parishes" in Venezuela (ibid. 23 Sept. 2014). He stated that 2,500 of these members have a position on one of the executive teams or in one of the social movements (ibid.). In addition, he added that the states where Voluntad Popular has the [translation] "strongest" presence are the following: the district of the capital, Miranda, Táchira, Zulia, Vargas, Sucre, Mérida, Trujillo, Aragua and Lara (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Structure

2.1 Executive Power

The Voluntad Popular statutes describe the organization's governing body in the following way (ibid. Apr. 2012):

Name Number of elected representatives Duties

National team of activists (Equipo nacional de activistas, ENA) 11 (Art. 51) Makes the party's political decisions (Art. 50). Coordinates the functioning of the political structures at the national level (Art. 55a).

Regional teams of activists (Equipos regionales de activistas, ERA) 8 (Art. 58) Coordinate and run the party at the state level (Art. 57).

Municipal teams of activists (Equipos municipales de activistas, EMA) 6 (Art. 63) Coordinate and run the party at the municipal level (Art. 62).

Parish teams of activists (Equipos parroquiales de activistas, EPA) 7 (Art. 68) Coordinate and run the party at the parish level (Art. 67).

In addition to the elected members:

the ENA includes [translation] "the representatives chosen by each of the social movements" [2] (ibid., Art. 52).

the ERA includes [translation] "the individuals elected by the social movements" (ibid., Art. 58).

the EMA includes [translation] "the individuals elected by the social movements" (ibid., Art. 63).

It is written in the Voluntad Popular statutes that the following groups must [translation] "be accountable to the governing body at the higher level": the ERAs (ibid., Art. 61i), the EMAs (ibid., Art. 66j) and the EPAs (ibid., Art. 71i).

For each team, the elected member who receives the highest number of votes becomes the national, regional, municipal or parish leader, as appropriate (ibid., Art. 82). The statutes state that:

The national leader (responsable nacional) is the party's official representative (ibid., Art. 83a).

The regional leader (responsable estadal) is the party's official representative in their state (ibid., Art. 85a).

The municipal leader (responsable municipal) is the party's official representative in their municipality (ibid., Art. 86a).

The parish leader (responsable parroquial) is the party's official representative in their parish (ibid., Art. 87a).

2.1.1 Members of the National Team of Activists

According to the Voluntad Popular website, the following people have specific positions in the ENA:

Position Name

National Leader Leopoldo López

National Political Coordinator Carlos Vecchio

Assistant National Political Coordinator Freddy Guevara

National Coordinator of the organization Juan Guaidó

National Coordinator of the networks Juan Andrés Mejia

National Leader for youth David Smolansky

International Political Leader Isadora Zubillaga

National Leader for Professional and Tradesperson Associations Rafael Veloz

Executive Secretary Mayadevis González

The following people are [translation] "national members" of the ENA: Fabiola Colmenárez, Antonio Rivero, Luis Florido, Lester Toledo, Yoslin Sánchez, Roberto Marrero and Sergio Vergara (ibid. n.d.b).

2.2 Deliberative Meetings

According to the Voluntad Popular statutes, the National Assembly of Activists (Asamblea nacional de activistas, ANA) is the party's highest deliberative assembly; it is formed by all the party members elected to the executive, from the parish level to the national level (ibid., Art. 31). The ANA meets every two years (ibid., Art. 32). It is responsible for ratifying the amendments made to the statutes when they modify the fundamental principles of the organization and for adopting the party's long-term strategic plan and ideological foundations (ibid., Art. 33).

The federal team of activists (Equipo federal de activistas, EFA) gathers together the ENA and the regional representatives to assess and follow up on the national policies of the party and of each state (ibid., Art. 34). Article 36 of the statutes specifies that the EFA must be made up of: three elected authorities from the ERAs, the members of the ENA and the national leaders of the social movements (ibid., Art. 36). In addition, Article 40 explains that each state is represented by three people, including the state regional representative (ibid., Art. 40). The EFA meets every six months (ibid., Art. 35). Its duties include adopting the strategic plan, deciding on party policy and approving decisions of the Disciplinary, Mediation and Conflict Resolution Board to dismiss members of the ENA (ibid., Art. 42).

The state activist teams (Equipos estadales de activistas, EEA) gather together the ERA and three representatives from each state or regional EMA twice a year to evaluate and follow up on the party's regional policies and municipal actions (ibid., Art. 43-45). Their duties include adopting the party's strategic plan for their state or region and deciding on regional policies, in compliance with EFA policy (ibid., Art. 49a).

2.3 Other Organizations

The Voluntad Popular statutes state that operational organizations support the governing bodies nationally, regionally and municipally by handling the technical management of the organization (ibid., Art. 96). They ensure that the governing bodies' decisions are applied and they handle the party's daily management (ibid., Art. 97).

Further information on the structure of Voluntad Popular than that found in the party statutes could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints.

2.4 Election to Positions Within the Party

According to the Voluntad Popular statutes, all activists and volunteers in the organization may vote in the elections to fill leadership positions in the party (ibid., Art. 15). The mandate for these four-year roles is renewable once (ibid., Art. 16). The National Electoral Council (Comité nacional electoral), an independent body of the party (ibid., Art. 120), is responsible for the conduct of the elections (ibid., Art. 14). It is made up of seven members designated [translation] "openly" by the EFA for a mandate of three years, non-renewable (ibid., Art. 122).

3. Conditions for Becoming a Voluntad Popular Member

According to the Voluntad Popular statutes,

[translation]

Article 6: Anyone who belongs to the party in any way and who embraces the ideas contained in the party's founding manifesto is a member of the Voluntad Popular Activists.

Article 7: Anyone who wishes to be a member of the Voluntad Popular Activists may become an activist, volunteer or supporter, depending on their level of interest and commitment to the party structures (ibid., Art. 6-7).

According to Article 13, a supporter (simpatizante) is a person who has [translation] "positive ties" to Voluntad Popular, is not on one of the organization's work teams and provides support mainly during activities (ibid., Art. 13).

Article 12 explains that volunteers (voluntarios) are registered in the party's databases, participate occasionally in the party's work and are not [translation] "in a permanent subordinate position to the governing bodies" (ibid., Art. 12).

To become a Voluntad Popular activist (activista), individuals must be 16 years of age or older, be officially registered as an activist, be in integral part of one of the work teams at the territorial level, adhere to the ideas contained in the founding manifesto, submit to the rules set out in the statutes and assume specific party responsibilities (ibid., Art. 8).

The activist is entitled to rights, including:

Taking part in the organization's decisions (ibid., Art. 9a).

Presenting their candidacy for any executive position in the organization (ibid., Art. 9b).

Electing individuals in executive positions, subject to a vote at the national, regional (state), municipal or parish levels (ibid., Art. 9c).

Giving their opinion freely about subjects of interest for the organization, and having the right to express disagreement concerning the party's official positions, with respect and in compliance with party discipline (ibid., Art. 9d).

Connecting with other individuals in the party around areas of interest in order to defend specific points of view (ibid., Art. 9e).

Receiving party approval to attend the elections under the Voluntad Popular banner (ibid., Art. 9j).

The activist's responsibilities include the following:

To know the executive structures of Voluntad Popular (ibid., Art. 10c).

To participate actively in the assigned course of action or support (ibid., Art. 10f).

To help support the party within one's financial means and in compliance with the law (ibid., Art. 10k).

To respect and recognize individuals elected to executive positions, not only because of their legitimate authority but also as members of the same group (ibid., Art. 10l).

To participate actively in the organic life of the party and in the political activities organized by the party (ibid., Art. 10p).

The Voluntad Popular statutes state there are only three ways that a person may lose their status as an activist: if they officially renounce membership; if they die; or if they are thrown out of the organization in compliance with the rules of procedure established in the statutes, after having a right to a defence and a [translation] "fair" trial according to the general principles of law (ibid., Art. 11).

4. Membership Card

An example of the Voluntad Popular activist membership card, called an accreditation card (carnet de acreditación), is attached to this Response.

5. Treatment of Voluntad Popular Members by the Authorities

In June 2009, opposition parties assembled to form a coalition called Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD) (PHW 2013). According to Political Handbook of the World 2013 (PHW), this Democratic Unity Roundtable (Table pour l'unité démocratique) included 50 political parties (PHW 2013). The Interparliamentary Union (Union interparlementaire) states that the coalition had 11 parties when it was created, but 50 "parties and groups" in April 2010 (Union interparlementaire n.d.). In an article published on 30 August 2014, Agence France-Presse (AFP) states that MUD represents the Venezuelan opposition. International Crisis Group states that MUD has a variable number of parties; in May 2014, Voluntad Popular was part of its central group (21 May 2014, 10).

In the presidential elections on 14 April 2013, MUD presented a candidate, Henrique Capriles Radonski (Venezuela n.d.c), to oppose Nicolás Maduro, leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (Partido socialista únido de Venezuela, PSUV) (Deutsche Welle 28 Apr. 2013). He was the successor to the late president Hugo Chávez (Reuters 14 Apr. 2013). According to the National Electoral Council, six candidates ran at those elections (Venezuela n.d.b). Mr. Maduro won with less than 2 percent more of the votes than his opponent (Reuters 24 Apr. 2013; AFP 17 May 2013; Agencia EFE 28 April 2013). Some sources state that MUD requested a recount of the votes (ibid.; Deutsche Welle 28 Apr. 2013). According to La Estrella de Panamá, a daily from Panama, the coalition requested that the results of the election be nullified (18 May 2013). In the aftermath, Leopoldo López, national leader of Voluntad Popular, implemented a protest movement called La salida (which means the exit or the departure) to try to bring about a change in government (AFP 30 Aug. 2014; La Nación 6 June 2014; El Espectador 28 Feb. 2014). According to some sources, this initiative was seen by President Maduro as an attempted [translation] "coup" (AFP 30 Aug. 2014; Human Rights Watch 9 Apr. 2014).

In a video made public by a third party, the Minister of Housing, Ricardo Molina, states that he would not tolerate his employees criticizing the government, that he did not accept [translation] "activists from fascist parties" in his department and that he encouraged his employees to resign if they wanted to become members of Voluntad Popular, or else he would dismiss them himself (Reuters 24 Apr. 2013; Agencia EFE 22 Apr. 2013). Agencia EFE, a news agency, states that this video was filmed in April 2013, following the presidential elections (ibid.).

Antonio Rivero [member of the ENA of Voluntad Popular] was arrested on 27 April 2013 for taking part in organizing protests following the presidential elections (US 27 Feb. 2013), during which nine people died (AFP 17 May 2013; Agencia EFE 28 Apr. 2013; La Estrella de Panamá 18 May 2013). La Estrella de Panamá states that 78 people were injured (ibid.). Agencia EFE mentions instead that 70 people were injured during these protests (28 Apr. 2013). According to some sources, Mr. Rivero was detained by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Servicio bolivariano de inteligencia nacional, SEBIN) (US 27 Feb. 2014; AFP 17 May 2013; Deutsche Welle 28 Apr. 2013). Two charges were laid against him: instigation to commit a crime [inciting violence (US 27 Feb. 2014)] and conspiring (La Estrella de Panamá 18 May 2013; AFP 17 May 2013). According to the AFP, opposition leaders stated that a video [that had been used by the authorities to demonstrate the involvement of the Voluntad Popular leader in organizing the protests (AI 8 May 2013; DPA 27 Apr. 2013)] shows Mr. Rivero launching an appeal for non-violence to protestors (AFP 17 May 2013). Mr. Rivero led a hunger strike while he was detained (ibid.) to protest against the judiciary procedure that had been launched against him (La Estrella de Panamá 18 May 2013; AI 8 May 2013). He was released conditionally on 17 May 2013, after suffering health problems (AFP 17 May 2013; US 27 Feb. 2014, 16).

During the municipal elections of 8 December 2013, Voluntad Popular presented candidates under the MUD banner (El Universal 11 Dec. 2013; El Tiempo 11 Dec. 2013; La Patilla 12 Dec. 2013). According to El Tiempo, a daily in eastern Venezuela, President Maduro's party won 240 of the 335 seats for mayoral office, while MUD won 75 (11 Dec. 2013). The number of mayoral seats that the Voluntad Popular party won varies according to the media from 12 (El Nacional 19 Dec. 2013) to 18 (El Universal 11 Dec. 2013; El Tiempo 11 Dec. 2013). According to El Tiempo, 16 of Voluntad Popular's 18 seats were previously held by the party in power (ibid.). La Patilla, a news source in Venezuela, reports the statements of the Voluntad Popular national leader, Leopoldo López, who stated that his party had won seats in 12 states (12 Dec. 2013). In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 23 September 2014, a party leader stated that 16 mayors were affiliated with Voluntad Popular, as were 71 municipal advisors (Voluntad Popular 13 Sept. 2014).

From February to May 2014, the country saw protests by citizens opposing the Maduro government, during which confrontations led to the death of 43 people (AFP 30 Aug. 2014; Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014). According to media, over 800 people were also injured at that time (AP 5 June 2014; El Nuevo Herald 14 Aug. 2014; La Nación 6 June 2014; Europa Press 11 Sept. 2014). Media wrote that some hundreds of people were arrested (ibid.; Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014). Associated Press referred instead to 2,500 arrests (5 June 2014). International Crisis Group indicates that state media announced that a [translation] "'fascist coup' [was] taking place" (21 Feb. 2014). Similarly, Jane's Intelligence Review states that President Maduro saw the protests as [translation] "a coup to be" (Apr. 2014). According to the Colombian daily El Espectador, the government of Venezuela qualified the protestors as [translation] "putschists" (28 Feb. 2014).

According to some sources, unidentified armed individuals conducted a raid on the Voluntad Popular party headquarters [in Caracas] on 17 February 2014 (Voluntad Popular n.d.a; Reuters 18 Feb. 2014). That same day, some security forces officers raided the same offices (ibid.) without a search warrant (AI 18 Feb. 2014; DPA 17 Feb. 2014).

Some sources state that the authorities accused Leopoldo López of being [translation] "the brain behind" the violence that caused the death of three people in the protests on 12 February 2014 (Human Rights Watch May 2014, 28; Europa Press 11 Sept. 2014). The Venezuelan daily El Universal explains that the Chancellor of the Republic, Elías Jaua Milano, donned this title in a tweet dated 12 February 2014 (12 Feb. 2014). Leopoldo López was subsequently formally accused of instigation to commit a crime, injury, arson and conspiring (Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014; Europa Press 11 Sept. 2014; AFP 30 Aug. 2014). AFP states that it was the Office of the Prosecutor General (Fiscalía General) who proceeded with the charge (ibid.). Mr. López went to the police on 18 February 2014 (Human Rights Watch 12 March 2014; International Crisis Group 21 Feb. 2014; Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014). He was placed in preventive detention at the Ramo Verde military prison [near Caracas] (ibid.; ANSA 23 July 2014; AP 5 June 2014).

On 28 February 2014, an arrest warrant was launched against Carlos Vecchio, national political coordinator of Voluntad Popular (Europa Press 6 June 2014). He was accused of instigation to commit a crime, injury and conspiring (ibid.; La Nación 6 June 2014; AP 5 June 2014). Since the end of February 2014, Mr. Vecchio has been living in hiding (ibid.; La Nación 6 June 2014; Europa Press 6 June 2014). In early June 2014, he went to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to begin an international tour denouncing the human rights violations in Venezuela (La Nación 6 June 2014;) and the [translation] "persecution" of which members of Voluntad Popular were victims (AP 5 June 2014; Europa Press 6 June 2014).

On 19 March 2014, two mayors from the opposition, Vicencio [also written Enzo and Vicenzo] Scarano, mayor of San Diego (in the state of Carabobo), and Daniel Ceballos, mayor of San Cristóbal (in the state of Táchira), were arrested and then detained at the Ramo Verde military prison (La Voz de Galicia 21 Mar. 2014; El País 21 Mar. 2014; El Mundo 21 Mar. 2014). According to some sources, Daniel Ceballos was a member of Voluntad Popular (El País 21 Mar. 2014; El Mundo 21 Mar. 2014), as was Vicencio Scarano (La Voz de Galicia 21 Mar. 2014). Human Rights Watch states that they were arrested for refusing to follow a court order [the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Tribunal supremo de justicia, TSJ) (VOA 3 Mar. 2014)] requiring the barricades erected by protestors to be removed (Human Rights Watch 9 Apr. 2014). Mr. Scarano was sentenced to ten and a half months in prison (ibid. May 2014, 28; La Voz de Galicia 21 Mar. 2014; El Espectador 20 Mar. 2014). In addition, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice withdrew his seat as mayor (El País 21 Mar. 2014; El Mundo 21 Mar. 2014). According to Human Rights Watch, Daniel Ceballos also lost his seat and was sentenced to one year in prison (May 2014, 28).

The trial of Leopoldo López started on 23 July 2014 (Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014; ANSA 23 July 2014). According to media, President Maduro stated during a news conference held at the end of Mr. López's first trial hearing that the respondent [translation] "would pay before justice" for the crimes he was charged with (ibid.; El País 24 July 2014). According to an Associated Press (AP) article, Mr. López's lawyers stated that the Office of the Prosecutor General had not presented any evidence during his plea to support the charges against the respondent (AP 5 June 2014). According to some sources, Leopoldo López was unable to present evidence for his defence (AFP 30 Aug. 2014; US 11 Sept. 2014; Agencia EFE 10 Sept. 2014). Agencia EFE states that Mr. López's lawyers started proceedings in the Venezuelan courts, including the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, to obtain the opportunity to present their evidence (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints.

According to an article from the Miami newspaper El Nuevo Herald, [translation] "the list of [Voluntad Popular] party leaders who were arrested totals 199 people" (El Nuevo Herald 14 Aug. 2014). The article indicates that the state television accuses them of being [translation] "terrorists" (ibid.). A Europa Press article published on 6 June 2014 indicates that Carlos Vecchio [national political coordinator of Voluntad Popular] stated that [translation] "hundreds of [Voluntad Popular] activists have been persecuted and detained" by the state. According to El Nuevo Herald, some Voluntad Popular leaders were [translation] "threatened and persecuted," which motivated some of them to leave Venezuela; among those who are in prison, some have been subjected to [translation] "torture" (14 Aug. 2014). In the Europa Press article, Carlos Vecchio states that some people who were arrested in the protests had indicated that they had been subjected to [translation] "torture" (6 June 2014). An article by NOTIMEX, a Mexican government news agency, reports on interviews that it conducted of protestors in Caracas, including one interviewee who preferred to remain anonymous because he was a member of Voluntad Popular and that the party was facing [translation] "persecution" by the government (27 Aug. 2014).

Some sources state that the Venezuelan government controls the judicial power (Human Rights Watch 9 Apr. 2014; El Nuevo Herald 7 May 2014). An article published on 7 May 2014 by the El Nuevo Herald newspaper states that the party in power controls the judicial system in Venezuela and that it uses it as [translation] "an instrument of political persecution," which is "in particular" the case against the leaders of Voluntad Popular (ibid.). According to an analyst from IHS Global Insight/IHS Jane's, in the preceding days, SEBIN had issued [translation] "a considerable number" of citations to appear against activists and some party leaders (ibid.). Human Rights Watch states that the proceedings against the Voluntad Popular politicians and other members of the opposition illustrate [translation] "one of the largest weaknesses of democracy in Venezuela of our time: the lack of independence of the judicial system," adding that the government [translation] "controls the Supreme Court and intimidates the judges," among other violations (9 Apr. 2014).

In a news release published on 21 February 2014, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS), pointing out in particular the arrest of Leopoldo López, criticizes the punitive measures that the state would employ to conduct criminal prosecution against the political opposition (OAS 21 Feb. 2014). A group of experts from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights state in a news release on 6 March 2014, that the government of Venezuela could not hope to enter into a dialogue with the opposition as long as the political opponents were being [translation] "harassed and intimidated" by the authorities (UN 6 Mar. 2014). The United States Department of State expressed its concerns about the absence of regular application of the law with respect to imprisoned political opponents, including Leopoldo López, Vicencio Scarano and Daniel Ceballos (US 11 Sept. 2014).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The networks of Voluntad Popular are [translation] "a model of community organization that aim to promote the social and political participation [of each community member] for the rights [of people] and to find solutions to community problems" (Voluntad Popular n.d.e).

[2] Social movements (movimientos sociales) of Voluntad Popular are groupings of people [translation] "into areas of interest to respond to the claims of social groups to transform society" (Voluntad Popular Apr. 2012, Art. 111). The party's website provides a list of the organization's social movements, according to the following areas of interest: youth, the environment, the conditions in prisons, professional and tradesperson associations, workers, LGBTI persons, international relations and popular networks (ibid. n.d.c).

References

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_____. 17 May 2013. "Liberan en Venezuela al líder opositor y general en retiro Rivero." (Factiva)

Agencia EFE. 10 September 2014. "López regresa a tribunales y sigue en lucha por presentar sus pruebas; Venezuela López (Previsión) (Actualización).". Factiva)

_____. 28 April 2013. "Oposición venezolana dice ser perseguida por pedir auditoría de elecciones; Venezuela auditoría." (Factiva)

_____. 22 April 2013. "Partido opositor acusa de 'fascista' y de persecución a ministro venezolano; Venezuela elecciones." (Factiva)

Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA). 23 July 2014. "ANSA/Venezuela : López 'va a pagar' por violencia, Maduro." (Factiva)

Amnesty International (AI). 18 February 2014. "Action urgente : Descentes au siège d'un parti d'opposition." (AMR 53/004/2014) [Accessed 28 Aug. 2014]

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La Nación. 6 June 2014. "Prófugo político opositor inició gira para denunciar a gobierno venezolano." (Factiva)

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NOTIMEX, Agencia de Noticias del Estado Mexicano. 27 August 2014. "Oposición retomará las protestas de calle en Venezuela." (Factiva)

Organization of American States (OAS). 21 February 2014. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). "IACHR Expresses Deep Concern over the Situation with Respect to the Right to Peaceful Protest, Freedom of Association and Freedom of Expression in Venezuela." [Accessed 2 Sept. 2014]

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_____. 24 April 2013. "Venezuela Opposition Accuses Government of Post-vote Vendetta." (Factiva)

_____. 14 April 2013. Andrew Cawthorne. "Factbox: Venezuelan Election Candidates Maduro and Capriles." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2014]

Union interparlementaire. N.d. "Venezuela : Asamblea Nacional (Assemblée nationale)." Base de données PARLINE. [Accessed 24 Sept. 2014]

United Nations (UN). 6 March 2014. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Venezuela / Demonstrations: UN Experts Ask for Clarification on Alleged Arbitrary Detentions and Use of Violence." [Accessed 11 Sept. 2014]

United States (US). 11 September 2014. Marie Harf, Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson, Department of State. "Press Statement : Due Process in Venezuela." [Accessed 16 Sept. 2014]

_____. 27 February 2014. Department of State. "Venezuela." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. [Accessed 3 Sept. 2014]

Venezuela. N.d.a. Consejo nacional electoral (CNE). "Concepto." [Accessed 22 Sept. 2014]

_____. N.d.b. Consejo nacional electoral (CNE). "Divulgación presidencial 2013." [Accessed 23 Sept. 2014]

_____. N.d.c. Consejo nacional electoral (CNE). "Divulgación presidencial 2013: Organizaciones políticas que lo apoyan." [Accessed 23 Sept. 2014]

Voice of America (VOA). 3 March 2014. Carolina Alcalde. "Maduro ordena eliminar las barricadas." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2014]

Voluntad Popular. 23 September 2014. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a national leader of the party.

_____. April 2012. Jordy Enrique Moncada. Estatutos de Voluntad Popular Activistas. [Click on the "Manifiesto" button at the bottom of the page.] [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

_____. 14 January 2011. Manifiesto de Voluntad Popular. [Click on the "Manifiesto" button at the bottom of the page.] [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

_____. N.d.a. Persecución política a Voluntad Popular Activistas (Venezuela). Document sent to the Research Directorate by a national leader of the party.

_____. N.d.b. "Contactos." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

_____. N.d.c. "Movimientos sociales." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

_____. N.d.d. "Quiénes somos." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

_____. N.d.e. "Redes populares." [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Freedom House; United Nations - Refworld, Integrated Regional Information Networks.

Attachment

Voluntad Popular. N.d. Party membership card sent to the Research Directorate by a national leader of the party.