Only one reference to the possible treatment or situation facing relatives of prominent members of the Democratic Action party (Acción Democrática, AD) since the attempted coup of April 2002 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate: Dennis Balza, the former governor of Bolivar state for AD, declared to the press that he had received threats on a number of occasions, and that he had been informed of a plan to kidnap him or his relatives (El Norte 17 Apr. 2002). Balza reportedly suggested that the mayor of Bolivar city may have been behind such threats and plans (ibid.).

Although Amnesty International has reported on death treats and fear for the safety of family members of persons related to killings by police, for example by a Grupo Exterminio (AI 16 May 2002), references to a political party affiliation of their victims could not be found among the reports consulted.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International, London. 16 May 2002. "Fear for Safety / Death Threats." (AI Index: AMR 53/006/2002) http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR530062002?open&of=ENG-VEN [Accessed 17 Apr. 2003]

El Norte [Barcelona, Venezuela]. 17 April 2002. Ysbelsy Hernández P. "Adecos rechazan acusaciones de Pérez Fernández." http://www.elnorte.com.ve/2002_abril/17/ Politica1404.html [Accessed 16 Apr. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

Country Reports 2002. 2003

Informativo Andino [Lima]. Apr. 2002-Mar. 2003

IRB Databases

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group [London]. 1997

Internet sites and search engines, including:

Amnesty International

El Nacional [Caracas]. Searchable archives

El Universal [Caracas]. Searchable archives

Human Rights Watch

Qué Pasa [Merida]. Searchable archives

Vheadline.com [Caracas]. Searchable archives