Peruvian network labels RCTV closing as attack against press freedom

FM to better deteriorated government image

The closing of private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) is one of "the most serious attacks on freedom of the press" in Latin America, said Monday Peruvian network Frecuencia Latina, property of Peruvian businessman of Israeli origin Baruch Ivcher.

"Censorship against this Venezuelan media outlet means the end of freedoms in Venezuela," said Frecuencia Latina, and recalled that the channel went through a "similar experience" under the government of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, AFP quoted.

"We deeply deplore the impending closing of RCTV ordered by the authoritarian regime of (Venezuelan President) Hugo Chávez. This move is one of the most serious attacks on freedom of the press, expression and business that have ever occurred in the region over the past few years," said a notice published in Lima newspapers.

The Peruvian network urged the global community to stand up "against this blow that will move Venezuela seriously and definitely far from any possibility to recover democracy."

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IISS: The FARC financed Chávez before 1999

10:07 AM. DIPLOMACY. Admired by the Colombian guerrilla after his coup attempt in 1992, the then lieutenant colonel Hugo Chávez Frías received financial support by the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) for his projects after his capture that year. This mostly explains the relationship and "debt" between the parties, as revealed by a paper of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) of the United Kingdom.