On March 3 Venezuela's highest court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), ordered the conditional release of union leader Rubén González, who had been in prison since Sept. 29, 2009. Just two days before the TSJ order, Bolívar state judge Magda Hidalgo sentenced González to seven and a half years in prison for instigating a job action and blocking a highway in Ciudad Guayana at the government-owned Ferrominera Orinoco (FMO), an iron ore mining subsidiary of CVG, the national heavy industry holding company. González is general secretary of the Ferrominera Workers Union (SINTRAFERROMINERA). Under the terms of the conditional release, he is required to report every 15 days to the authorities in Ciudad Guayana.

González's release followed two days of protests by students and unionists representing both opponents and supporters of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez Frías, including sections of the pro-Chávez National Workers Union (UNT) and of the anti-Chávez Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV). When he was freed, González expressed his thanks "to all the labor forces of Guayana, to all those who have supported me and have been in solidarity with this struggle." He called for unity in the workers' movement, despite its differences and particular interests. (EFE, March 3, via Venezuelasite.com; El Universal, Caracas,March 6; Aporrea.org, Venezuela, March 5)

From Weekly News Update on the Americas, March 6.

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