Anti-Chavez Puppeteer Doesn't Speak for Washington***WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A comedian who used a puppet to ridicule the Venezuelan president at the home of the U.S. ambassador in Caracas does not speak for Washington and his skit was "inappropriate," the State Department said on Monday.
The male comedian dressed up as a Venezuelan female media broadcaster and employed a large puppet wearing a red beret to represent Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the event on Tuesday at the home of U.S. ambassador Charles Shapiro. The State Department accused the comedian of "abusing" his hospitality at the event marking International Press Freedom Day. "The skit presented May 13 by a Venezuelan comedian during the international press freedom event at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Caracas caught everyone by surprise," said State Department spokeswoman Lynn Cassel. "It was inappropriate. "All should understand that this Venezuelan comedian does not represent the U.S. government. He abused Ambassador Shapiro's hospitality," she added. ***
Silencing Venezuela: Hugo Chavez's proposed media law ( Radio - Television - Newpapers)***Arelis Lopez holds a sign reading 'Yes to information' and wears a bandanna over her mouth and hand cuffs as she protests with other members of 'Women for Freedom' against a media law proposed in Congress that will restrict graphic violence on television and reduce subjective censoring by radio and television channels, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, May 20, 2003. Opponents believe that if passed, the law could prohibit television and radio stations from criticizing the government. The sign at right reads 'We will go to jail in defense of freedom' and their shirts read 'Guards of freedom."***