CARACAS, Venezuela · A new accord between Venezuela and Cuba to cooperate in judicial affairs is stirring debate over whether the agreement could be used by the Cuban government to pursue its critics in Venezuela.
Venezuelan congressman Ricardo Sanguino, an ally of President Hugo Chavez, said Monday the agreement is positive because it allows Cuba to advise Venezuela on judicial matters.
"It is simply advising," he said, adding that allowing Cuban authorities to "come here doesn't mean it will be an interference in our internal affairs."
Some critics say the agreement, published in Venezuela's official gazette on Dec. 22, could be interpreted to allow for Cuban security agents to conduct investigations on Venezuelan soil or for Cuban authorities to extradite Cuban dissidents or Venezuelans who are critical of Fidel Castro's government.
Thousands of Cuban exiles live in Venezuela, and many of them have been in the South American country for decades.
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Venezuelan-Cuban accord raises concerns
