Years ago, Victor Martínez was one of the most important members in Lara’s state legislature. Elected as a chavista, he split from the PSUV in 2008 after serious differences with their regional leadership and specially, with former Governor Luis Reyes Reyes.
A year later, his life changed. His son Mijail, a human rights activist, was murdered. The crime was first considered a failed robbery attempt. With the passing time, that theory was proven wrong. Mijail was apparently the victim of a hit job.
Since then, Mr. Martinez has embarked on a crusade to bring those responsible to justice.
The road so far hasn’t been easy for him. Early this year, he survived an attempt on his life. He was already wounded in an incident with kidnappers last year. Joining him is the Comittee of Victims on Violence and Impunity, a local NGO dedicated to denounce the effects of crime and possible excesses by Lara State Police.
During a discussion on justice and security, as part of the recent Encounter of Social Organizations (EOS), Mr. Martínez was selected to be the spokesman for all the participating NGOs in Barquisimeto. He gave his speech via Skype. Even if it went over the established limit of 3 minutes, he left a great impression with the crowd in Caracas, according to the EOS local coordinator.
The discussion in Barquisimeto took on different but related issues. The role of our local police force, the efficency of the Public Ministry, the usefulness of our courts of appeals, all were touched. The coliseos at nearby Uribana prison were also mentioned. Finally, a very concrete proposal came out: preparing a regional encounter of victims of crime and police abuse. Initial meetings about it would begin in the upcoming weeks.
Mijail’s case has been brought to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission, and Mr. Martínez has already asked them for personal protection measures. He’s confident that justice will be done. Two of the shooters are under arrest and currently await trial. The victims’ comittee continues its work, helping relatives and friends of other victims.
The path forward is difficult, but they know their struggle is completely worth it.
And we in the US complain about trivialities like gasoline prices. Victor Martínez has a lot of courage.
Albert Speer in a BBC TV interview said that the last day of the third Rich,
he planed to put a poison gas canister in Hitler’s bunker,
does that make him courageous?
What about the millions that died in NAZI the labor camps when was
armaments minster? where was his courage then?
Victor Martínez stood by, or enabled Chavez to have the power he has today.
Now is own son lamentably has suffered the same fate as many
other young Venezuelans he’s courageous?
sorry I can’t buy that
I feel sorry for a wasted young life, but its a case of the
sins of the farther payed for by the son,
Martínez supported a president who has cost the lives of many
Venezuelans, when you ride the tiger getting off has a price
That doesn’t justify what happened.
Many were fooled. Martínez rode the cash cow a long way. But in no way do I consider his deep loss justified. If as a way to compensate, or to honour his son’s memory, Martínez sets up a “regional encounter of victims of crime and police abuse”, and if those efforts grow to encompass a national Truth and Reconcilation Commission, he will have achieved the greater good. I wish him well on his journey. It is badly needed.
“Many were fooled”.
By a guy who did a Coup d’etat ? with 180 plus Venezuelans killed?
Who was responsible for the11th of April deaths? who destroyed a whole country
and would happily have a civil war to stay in power.
Martínez stood by Chavez for 5 years while all this happened,
your not talking about someone who fooled you playing cards.
That’s same logic many used to excuse Chavez for 1991.
What he’s doing now is a good thing, but its sad it took his son’s death
to see Chavez for what he is., but he and the other Chavez
enablers are why the country is facing a possible civil war come October 8
Let’s not ruin this post by feeding the troll, please. The guy went Godwin at comment #1, ffs.
For the benefit of us ignorant gringos:
Who is supposed to have murdered Mijail Martinez?
Who obstructed the investigation and has attacked Victor Martinez?
Who are the suspected killers that have now been arrested, and who arrested them?
If Mijail Martinez was murdered for exposing misdeeds by chavista officials, including the local police, how is it that his alleged killers have been arrested, since chavistas stlll control the police?
It is all very confusing.
1. Mr. Martinez blames former Governor of Lara Luis Reyes Reyes and the former commander of the Lara State Police, Jesus Rodriguez Figueras as the main responsibles of Mijail’s murder.
2.The investigation has been obstructed by the inaction of the Criminal Police (CICPC) and the Attorney’s office (Ministerio Publico).
3.The circunstances behind both attacks against Mr. Martinez are still unknown.
4.The two arrested delinquents were captured by Lara Police but their judicial process is going incredibly slow.
5.Technically, Chavistas don’t control Lara State Police but there’s still some presence of rogue elements that have made their depuration difficult, if not impossible.
I hope this help to clear your doubts.
If we wish that the greatest amount possible of government sympathizers jump the talanquera to our side, we have to realize that many, if not most of them, will come with baggage we may disaprove. I don’t think we should just forgive everyone, but we do have to be tolerant enough to allow for a real critical mass in the opposition; otherwise we will indeed be a sorry, squalid bunch of holier-than-thou assholes.
Reading the materials and looking at the video (which I recommend) , it appears that a fine young man was slain. And his father was a Chavista. I say, let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
If i was him, i’d fuck this country,move away and start a family again.
Nothing is worth losing a loved or one’s life.Nothing,no Chavez,no politics,no economy and certainly no ideology.