Interviews with Rodrigo Diamanti

It´s very– very important for us that other governments made their criticisms to what is happening in Venezuela. The silence of some governments – it´s harmful, sometimes, for us, because what is happening in Venezuela is not normal. We are passing from from a democracy to a dictatorship. And the more the other governments alarm about this situation, it´s better for us, because the regime will be more careful on their actions – on their violation of our rights.

And, of course, we need international support because, at the end our country is involved in a lot of international relationships in economical ways. So, we need that they put some pressure directly on the government to behave, to not violate. Like, if another country wants to make business with us, that´s okay, but they have to also tell our regime to behave, to not close television, radio stations, newspapers; and to not put in prison the most important leaders. To care– to take care about society. Of course, that will help us a lot.

If the people know, around the world, what is happening in our country, it´s better for us, because our government is very careful about the international opinion. I think he doesn’t care too much about our Venezuelan opinion, of the people of my country, but he cares a lot about what the other government thinks about him.

So these Internet tools help us to spread our message outside of the country. And with that, we can try to put some pressure on our government to behave and to not violate, every day, the human rights of the Venezuelans.

Rodrigo Diamanti of Venezuela is president of “Un Mundo Sin Mordaza” (A World Without Censorship), a network that promotes freedom of speech in the Americas and around the world.

In 2007, Diamanti obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Andres Bello Catholic University of Caracas. Two years later he received a master’s degree in political studies from Complutense University in Madrid. He is a founding member of the Venezuela Student Movement of 2007, which works for free and fair elections, transparent governance, freedom of expression and association, and reconciliation in Venezuela.

Diamanti is a senior fellow of the Alliance of Youth Movements (Movements.org) and has lectured in Turkey, Spain, Mexico and the United States.