Venezuelan intelligence law prompts fears of Cuba-style spy system

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Venezuelan intelligence law prompts fears of Cuba-style spy system

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelans may be forced to spy on their

neighbors or risk prison terms under President Hugo Chavez's new

intelligence decree, raising fears of a Cuba-style system that could

be used to stifle dissent.

Chavez says the intelligence law he quietly decreed last week will

help Venezuela detect and neutralize national-security threats,

including assassination or coup plots. But many Venezuelans are

alarmed they could be forced to act as informants for the

authorities -- or face up to four years in prison.

" It's a system just like Cuba, " said Ra & #65533;l Barbiera, an 80-year-old

barber who was born in Spain and immigrated to Venezuela decades ago.

He said the law reminds him of his experiences during the fascist

dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco, when " you couldn't speak

against the government. " Barbiera said people will watch what they

say because " anyone can start a file on you. "

Chavez's leftist government maintains links to community-activist

groups and also has set up neighborhood-level " communal councils "

that decide how to spend government funds for community projects.

The law says community-based organizations may be called upon to

provide intelligence. Critics suspect such groups could become like

Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, which often are

a forum for neighbors to snoop on one another and report suspicious

activities.

Justice Minister Chac & #65533;n said Monday that all Venezuelans

have an obligation to cooperate.

But constitutional-law attorney Alberto Arteaga noted that

Chavez " is constantly calling opposition leaders coup-plotters and

pro-imperialists. " And that makes me suspect this law may be used as

a weapon to silence and intimidate the opposition. "