Interesting story from Reuters, Venezuela opposition attacked after Chavez speech
Assailants attacked Venezuela’s opposition with tear gas on Monday after President Hugo Chavez told police to use gas at anti-government public disturbances ahead of a referendum on allowing the leftist re-election.
Bad enough, but this is worse:
Between Sunday night and Monday morning, unknown assailants threw tear gas canisters at the Vatican’s embassy in Caracas and at the house of an anti-government media mogul and set fire to a student leader’s sport utility vehicle.
The reason?
The Roman Catholic church is unpopular with some Chavez supporters because it often speaks out against the government. Last week Venezuelan bishops said they were “worried” by the proposal to allow Chavez to run again for office.
The Vatican embassy in Caracas provides refuge to Nelson Moreno, a student leader accused of trying to rape a policewoman.
Noticias24 has video:
An attack on a Papal Nunzio is a violation of the Vienna convention.
As of the writing of this post the Vatican has not yet issued a statement.
UPDATE
Chavismo brushes international law aside
There is a rumour that Sinead O’Connor was invited to throw out the first tear gas cannister but being Irish during rehearsels couldn’t throw it more than six feet. The Chavistas decided, after hours of getting rid of the red eye, that maybe someone from a non-soccer playing country should get the honor.