venezuelan opposition leader carlos ortega was sentenced to 15 years and 11 months in prison for helping to lead a two-month, nationwide general strike in 2002 and 2003, according to dpa. a judge in caracas late tuesday found the union leader guilty of civil rebellion and incitement of crime. ortega was quoted as calling the ruling a political ploy by president hugo chavez. the strike, which was aimed at forcing chavez out of power, began december 2, 2002 and lasted through february 1, 2003. it took a toll on venezuela)s economy, particularly after oil workers in the world)s fifth-largest oil exporter joined the strike. the state oil company, petroleos de venezuela, estimated it lost 13.5 billion dollars during the strike. ortega fled venezuela two months after the strike and was granted asylum in costa rica. however, he returned to venezuela using forged documents and was arrested march 1. 'i am chavez)s captive, there)s no doubt,' local media quoted ortega as saying after the verdict. he charged that chavez has 'hijacked' venezuela)s judicial system. 'i have robbed no one, i am not corrupt, i am neither a conspirator nor a coup leader,' he was quoted as saying. --spa
