Venezuela's union and political leader Carlos Ortega, who escaped from a military prison Aug. 13.

One of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's most threatening enemies is on the loose. Carlos Ortega escaped from a military prison Aug. 13. and troops and police were ordered to guard ports, airports and embassies to prevent him from fleeing or seeking asylum. But those who know Ortega think he might stay in hopes of reviving anti-Chavez protests before December's presidential election.

A union leader who led a crippling national strike and later became what many Chavez opponents consider Venezuela's most prominent political prisoner, Ortega slipped out of the Ramo Verde prison west of Caracas, where he was serving a 16-year sentence.

Ortega was convicted last December of civil rebellion and instigation to commit illegal acts for his role in a 2002-2003 general strike that aimed to topple Chavez's government.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 19, 2006
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