Venezuela's Crippling Move Against NGOs

Venezuelan prosecutors are pursuing treason charges against the directors of a pro-democracy group that received funding from the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy. The courts — controlled by President Hugo Chavez — are likely to convict the four leaders of Sumate, a voting rights non-governmental organization (NGO). Convictions would set a precedent that could encourage other authoritarian governments to prosecute NGOs they consider pesky. Moreover, U.S. pro-democracy efforts around the world could be crippled if fear causes these groups to sever ties with their U.S. government backers.