Coup plotters may return to the Armed Forces

The military officers who participated "in the historical independence movements carried out on February 4 and November 27, 1992 ... who seek to return to the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) and its social security system" were authorized to make the appropriate arrangements with the Ministry of Defense for consideration and approval by the FANB commander-in-chief and Venezuela's President (Hugo Chávez), according to a decree with the rank, value and force of special law providing for the return to the military and the FANB social security system.

The military officers and troops seeking this benefit will be awarded "the rank they had at the time of discharge," according to the Decree Number 8,796 published in the Official Gazette 39,858, last Monday.

The Official Gazette bears an unusual handwriting message from President Hugo Chávez next to his signature. The message reads, "This is an act of justice, 20 years later! We shall overcome!"

President Chávez may promote military officers who participated in two attempted coups d'état against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez on February 4 and November 27, 1992, said the decree-law.

mdacorte@eluniversal.com