WASHINGTON, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Free Enterprise & Democracy Network (FEDN) released a statement today in support of Venezuelan business leaders and managers who have been attacked and intimidated by their government.
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"We are in complete solidarity with the business community in Venezuela," John D. Sullivan, Executive Director of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) said today. "We call on the government to stop the intimidation and threats against the business community."
CIPE is the secretariat of FEDN, a network of individuals who are leading business voices from think tanks and business associations in emerging markets. FEDN aims to promote the economic underpinnings of democratic transition and bring private sector voices into global discourse on democracy. The network provides a mechanism for private sector leaders and advocates of economic freedom across the world to exchange ideas and support, and make the case for democratic, prosperous societies.
Here is a portion of the statement released today: "The Steering Committee of the Free Enterprise and Democracy Network (FEDN) notes with deep concern a series of attacks and intimidation directed against Venezuelan business leaders, employers' organizations, and business managers.
In recent months, authorities have detained without due process or right to defense 15 businessmen and managers of companies that distribute medicines or food or that are involved in hospital care. They have detained the Chairman of the Venezuelan Association of Clinics and Hospitals Dr. Carlos Rosales Briceno and the Chairman of the National Association of Supermarkets and Self-services Mr. Luis Rodriguez, as well as the Chairman of CONINDUSTRIA Mr. Eduardo Garmendia. Other attacks have included the expropriation of Dia a Dia Supermarkets' products and locales."
Click here for the full statement.
FEDECAMARAS is the National Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations. It was founded in 1944 and has 300 affiliated associations, with 24 regional bodies in all of the states of Venezuela. It is considered both by its regional peers in Latin America and the International Employers Organization of the International Labor Organization in Geneva as the most representative business organization in Venezuela.
CIPE is a core Institute of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The NED is honoring Venezuelan political prisoners in its 2015 Democracy Award today on Capitol Hill.
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