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Venezuela opposition head charged Key Chavez opponent faces charges
(about 1 hour later)
Prosecutors in Venezuela have brought corruption charges against one of the country's main opposition leaders. Prosecutors in Venezuela have summoned one of the country's main opposition leaders to appear before a judge on 11 December to face corruption charges.
Manuel Rosales, the outgoing governor of the oil-rich state of Zulia, is accused of defrauding the state lottery and misusing public funds.Manuel Rosales, the outgoing governor of the oil-rich state of Zulia, is accused of defrauding the state lottery and misusing public funds.
Mr Rosales has denied the allegations and said the government is trying to carry out a political lynching of those opposed to President Hugo Chavez. He has denied the accusations, saying they amount to a political lynching of President Hugo Chavez's opponents.
He ran against Mr Chavez in the last presidential election two years ago. Mr Rosales ran against Mr Chavez in the last presidential election in 2006.
The charges come days after President Chavez said he would seek the constitutional changes necessary to allow him to stand for indefinite re-election. The Attorney General's office said Mr Rosales had been summoned to appear before the judge investigating the case on the morning of 11 December.
The announcement came just days after President Chavez said he would seek the constitutional changes necessary to allow him to stand for indefinite re-election.
On Tuesday he announced that he expected a referendum would be held in February.On Tuesday he announced that he expected a referendum would be held in February.
Government campaignGovernment campaign
During the recent regional election campaign, Mr Chavez repeatedly threatened his opponent with prison, taunting him at rallies by saying that a prison cell was waiting for him. During the recent regional election campaign, Mr Chavez repeatedly threatened Mr Rosales with prison, taunting him at rallies by saying that a prison cell was waiting for him.
Mr Chavez threatened Mr Rosales with prison during the regional electionsMr Rosales emerged from the campaign as mayor of the country's second city, Maracaibo. Mr Chavez threatened Mr Rosales with prison during the regional electionsMr Rosales, previously the governor of Zulia, was elected mayor of the country's second city, Maracaibo, in last month's municipal elections.
Adverts featuring alleged telephone conversations made by Mr Rosales, in which he was accused of receiving illegal gifts for his business partners and wife, were also put out by the government.Adverts featuring alleged telephone conversations made by Mr Rosales, in which he was accused of receiving illegal gifts for his business partners and wife, were also put out by the government.
Just over a week after the poll, the state prosecutor's office announced it would charge him with defrauding the state lottery and misusing state funds.Just over a week after the poll, the state prosecutor's office announced it would charge him with defrauding the state lottery and misusing state funds.
Separately, the government has also accused Mr Rosales of plotting to kill the president and overthrow his administration - allegations strenuously denied by the opposition.Separately, the government has also accused Mr Rosales of plotting to kill the president and overthrow his administration - allegations strenuously denied by the opposition.
"I will confront everything I must...They are aiming to politically lynch all of us who are opposed to the coronation of Chavez," Mr Rosales said.