Country
"We have not revoked any broadcast license. We are simply recovering some licenses that were used illegally. This is an act of justice," said Minister of Public Works and director of the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel), Diosdado Cabello, adding that none of the owners of the 34 radio stations that were closed by Venezuela's telecommunications agency have produced evidence to defend their case. "They are beating around the bush talking about freedom of expression."

In the specific case of Circuito Nacional Belfort radio network (CNB), Cabello challenged its owners to "submit to Conatel any document that authorizes them to operate the radio stations."

"I challenge them to prove their claims that the radio stations belong to them. They are not the owners of these radio networks (…) They did business, they sold them and defraud a lot of people," he insisted.

Cabello welcomed in Conatel a demonstration led by former Caracas mayor Freddy Bernal to support the actions undertaken by the telecommunications regulator. The minister of Public Works said that the private radio operators of the 34 radio stations that were punished have recognized that the measure is legal, because "anywhere we have appeared and demanded discontinuance of broadcasts, they have met the requirement immediately, because they know we abiding by the law."

Cabello added that the radio stations can broadcast online, but they commit any crime, "rest assured that the government will enforce the law, no matter who" infringes the law.

"Gentlemen, be very careful with what you do," Cabello warned. He stressed that the people who called "everyone to demonstrate in the streets, to block roads, all the people that kicked up a media fuss about the first 34 radio stations closed and think that the government is going to retract are wrong." Cabello added: "No, comrades. We will go ahead, deepening the revolution. We do not accept any blackmail."

In his view, the "pro-coup TV networks broadcasted on Saturday some news that only this government has allowed in the history of Venezuela." "Well, they must abide by the consequences. We monitor their broadcasts and if they infringe the law, we will enforce it."

Late on Sunday, Minister Cabello warned in an interview with state-run TV network Venezolana de Televisión that the government would amend the Radio and TV Social Responsibility Law, because it is too weak and it should be adapted to changing times.

He termed unthinkable that some Venezuelan networks broadcast international news programs entirely devoted to attack President Hugo Chávez, and the government can do nothing about it.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas

María Daniela Espinosa
EL UNIVERSAL