As it is a standalone Spanish court authority with "super-judges" independent from other government branches ensures a trial to the logical conclusion and responsibilities for scheming assassinations and support and protection of terrorist groups in the national territory by the Venezuelan government will be established in the event of being proved. That, at least, is the impression of Fernando Gerbasi, former director of the Metropolitan University Strategic Center and ex Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Does the indictment filed by Judge (Eloy) Velasco, of the Spanish National Court compromise, besides President Hugo Chávez's destiny, the fate of the whole country, taking into account that not only diplomatic relations with Spain or Colombia, but also with the European Union are endangered?
This situation will be more and more complicated as the trial goes on; defendants of (Basque terrorist group) ETA and the FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) give their testimony, as well as security corps of Spain and Colombia. I think that some issues that compromise the situation of the Venezuelan government before the European Union and the international community will arise. In the case of the European Union, because they label the ETA and FARC as terrorist organizations and an action against a member country is regarded as harmful to remaining member states. In addition, in the event of a short trial, Spain holds the presidency of the European Union.

You made reference to the international community.
Because there is a United Nations resolution related to antiterrorist efforts. It is set forth there that all countries should refrain themselves from giving any kind of support, active or passive, to participants in terrorist acts, as well as an Antiterrorist Committee operates in the Security Council. Therefore, the situation is extremely serious and Venezuela is a country on suspicion of the international community, because, in addition to terrorism, it is accused of ignoring drug traffic and it has been acknowledged that it meddles in the internal affairs of foreign countries. Here the cases of Honduras or Mexico go -with the eviction of Ambassador Vladimir Villegas; the ALBA houses in Peru and many more. In view of it, the government cannot find a credible way to premise its arguments and limits itself to insults or untimely guilty statements, such as a worldwide action sponsored by the imperialism against the Bolivarian revolution.

I asked you about the potential impact of the case on the country and citizens as a whole.
Chávez's government owes an explanation not only to Spain or the international community, but also to Venezuelans, because the effects could be serious -breaking-off of diplomatic relations, economic and political sanctions and disadvantageous situations for Venezuelans tourists abroad.

Has not been soft and contradictory the Spanish government reaction?
Contradictions occur because of several stances within the Spanish government. (Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez) Zapatero asks for explanations and (Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Ángel) Moratinos says that information was requested only. In the meantime, the wording of Ministers of the Interior and Defense is tougher. It should not be forgotten that as the FARC are rejected by the immense majority of Colombians, the same happens to ETA in Spain. And the issue goes further, because it has become a domestic political problem and the People's Party has taken it up as advocacy of the Hispanic world. It is a simple, yet mighty argument -How is it that a foreign government has cooperated with a terrorist organization which has damaged so much the Spanish society? It seems, therefore, that the People's Party is determined to take the case to its logic conclusion. Add to this, at this current time, it outnumbers the PSOE by almost six points.

One could reckon that the People's Party is attacking from all flanks Zapatero's government, which looks weakened and faces a serious economic crisis. Why did not Judge Velasco show up earlier, as the claims of Chávez-FARC-ETA links started some years ago?
That is true, because, seemingly, the investigation started 17 years ago. But, obviously, time is needed to collect and process the information. In addition, as far as I am concerned, Judge Velasco is not the only one involved in the case. Thus, magistrates like (Baltasar) Garzón have undertaken parallel investigations into other related cases. I do not know whether there is a political move behind all this, but I understand that the Spanish National Court protects those super-judges of the highest rank, very respected, and whose actions are totally independent from the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

The charges contained in the indictment of Judge Velasco are very serious because they refer to a plot to kill ex Colombian President (Andrés) Pastrana and Colombian President (Álvaro) Uribe. In addition, they note that ETA members trained in Venezuela FARC and FBL members on techniques and use of explosive devices, with the support and protection of Venezuelan security agencies. In the face of these charges, what could be Chávez's destiny?
In the worst scenario, he could have to appear in Hague International Criminal Court. Everything will depend on the progress of the charges. So far, we are looking at the tip of the iceberg.

Translated by Conchita Delgado