Report : Judiciary and police lack independence in dealings with president . ` ` Punitive force of the state '' is used against political opponents , report says . The 319-page report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says a lack of independence by Venezuela 's judiciary and legislature in their dealings with leftist President Hugo Chavez often leads to the abuses . President Hugo Chávez 's arrest with trumped - up charges , censorship of media . Chavez called for observing rights regarding economic , social , cultural matters .
Report : Judiciary and police lack independence in dealings with president . ` ` Punitive force of the state '' is used against political opponents , report says . President Hugo Chávez 's arrest with trumped - up charges , censorship of media . Chavez called for observing rights regarding economic , social , cultural matters .