A onetime comrade, and current critic, of Venezuelan jefe Hugo Chavez has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of abuse of power, misappropriation of funds and violation of the military code while an officer in the army.

Chavez believes that retired Gen. Raul Isaias Baduel is a pawn of the right wing and a “traitor” to the country. Baduel believes Chavez’s socialism is “ruining the country.” –JCL

Los Angeles Times:

A retired general and onetime confidant of President Hugo Chavez has been sentenced to prison in a case that revealed the divisions in Venezuelan society.

The retired general, Raul Isaias Baduel, was sentenced to a nearly eight-year prison term Friday night by a military court on charges of abuse of power, misappropriation of funds and violation of the military code while he was an officer.

Baduel’s family criticized the verdict as unjust and said imprisoning him was a means of silencing a prominent critic. Baduel sent a Twitter message Saturday to family and friends saying, “God is with us and divine justice always present.”

Read more

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig