Chavez Illegally Jails Judge, Contradicts UN Order

TRNS Congressional Correspondent Geoff Holtzman speaks with international attorney Robert Amsterdam about a case involving a client of his named Eligio Cedeno. Cedeno, a Venezuelan citizen who had peacefully opposed President Hugo Chavez, spent almost three years in jail as a political prisoner.

Earlier this year, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the United Nations handed down an opinion to Venezuelan Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni, which declared that Cedeno's incarceration was unlawful. Based largely upon that opinion, the judge then decided to release Cedeno. According to Amsterdam, within minutes of granting Cedeno's conditional release, Judge Afiuni was arrested by Venezuelan intelligence police officers. Her ruling was reversed by another judge, and a new arrest warrant was issued for Cedeno, who now finds himself on the run.

Additionally, just one day after the arrest of Judge Afiuni, President Chavez appeared on national television to denounce her as a criminal, and instructed his Attorney General and other high-ranking state officials to ensure that she is convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Click the audio icon below to listen to Geoff Holtzman's full conversation with Robert Amsterdam. (4:30)


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Ahmadinejad Finding A Friend In Brazilian President Lula

International attorney Robert Amsterdam says that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is finding Brazilian President Luiz Lula to be increasingly supportive of his regime. Amsterdam says that Lula appeals to Ahmadinejad in that he can be viewed as a more respectable partner than other South American allies, such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Amsterdam recently returned from Brazil where Ahmadinejad will visit next month. (:22)
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International Attorney Warns Of Growing Relationship Between Venezuela, Russia

Talk Radio News Service's Geoff Holtzman speaks with International Attorney Bob Amsterdam. Amsterdam, whose clients include political prisoners in both Venezuela and Russia, says that the U.S. should be concerned about the relationship between these countries and Iran because all three feature governments that are run by what Amsterdam calls "clans."

Amsterdam discusses recent reports showing that Russia has opened a $2.2 billion line of credit with Venezuela so that the South American nation can purchase weapons for its defense program. Amsterdam later cites a recent revelation that Russia has agreed to help Venezuela build a nuclear energy program.

Finally, Amsterdam comments on the Obama administration's decision to cancel plans for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe and the ramifications this decision will have on the U.S.'s relationship with Russia.

Click the icon below to hear Talk Radio News Service's Geoff Holtzman interview Robert Amsterdam. (4:32)
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Florida GOP'er Says Zelaya's Ignored Honduras's Laws

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) says Honduran President Manuel Zelaya refused to listen to his nation's Supreme Court as well as its Congress. He says Zelaya is a man who tried to "undermine the legislature, the judiciary, the Attorney General" and many others, including his own party. Mack also says the illegal referendum ballots that he seized and distributed "had Hugo Chavez's fingerprints all over them." (0:39)
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Honduras: The ABCs Of The Military Coup

Human rights attorney Robert Amsterdam gives a brief summary of what caused Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, to be overthrown by the military. Amsterdam attributes the cause to fundamental differences between the "Chavez line" who favor "constitutional editing" and the "institutional elite" who do not believe that changing the constitution should be decided through a referedum. (0:30)
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Human Rights Expert Analyzes Overthrown Honduran President's Reign

Attorney Robert Amsterdam describes recently overthrown Honduran president Manuel Zelaya's last term in power. In particular, Amsterdam cites the President's surprising switch from his Liberal party to a Chavista school of thought; a change that may have brought Venezuela and Honduras closer, and could justify President Hugo Chavez's recent declaration that he may intervene militarily in Honduras. (0:29)
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Human Rights Expert Says Obama Should Keep Out Of Honduras Situation

When asked what he believes President Barack Obama's reaction to the military overthrow of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya should be, human rights attorney Robert Amsterdam insists that Obama should have "no major role" in the situation. Amsterdam says Obama will keep his distance because of the instability of the situation. (0:37)
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