Venezuela jails of cers for paramilitary plot

A Venezuelan military judge Tuesday convicted three of * cers of plotting to overthrow President Hugo Chavez and ordered them jailed. Gen. Ovidio Poggioli was sentenced to 2½ years in prison, and Col. Jesus Farias and Capt. Rafael Farias were sentenced to nine years each for military rebellion and other charges, ABN state news agencyrep orted. Three other of * cers were freed for lack of evidence.

The government said the of * cers were using a farm in Caracas to train 100 Colombian paramilitaries to overthrow the Venezuelan president. Most of the Colombianswere acquitted, but 27 were sentenced to six years in prison for taking part in the plot.

Chavez, a former army of * cerwho often accuses the United States of plotting his downfall, said the plan was linked to his enemies in Miami and Colombia. Opponents said itwas an attempt to discredit them before a 2004 referendum on Chavez’s leadership.

By Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images