Snowden needs "world's protection", says Venezuelan President

I wonder why in the Venezuelan government&#x27;s eyes it&#x27;s OK for them to constantly monitor and record every call, email,etc made by their political opponents.<p>I wonder what would happen to an officer of the SEBIN (venezuelan inteligence agency)if they came out with details about how they record every political opponent movement. I wouldn&#x27;t be surprised if they ended up being just another statistic in the homicide rates.<p>They even had a late night TV show (La Hojilla) where a guy would play back cell phone recordings and emails of the opposition politicians.Live. On TV. He had carte blanche to insult,record anyone he wanted live on TV. Chavez would often call in to the show to congratulate him.<p>They even had a Congress session where they played recordings of the cell phone calls of the most prominent opposition members and their family. And that was live on TV again!<p>Hipocrysy at it&#x27;s best.

IMHO, there should be an independent UN protection.<p>If not, then how can any individual whistle blow against a country with the power and reach of the US? We have the aggrieved party, a whole state, hunting down an individual for exposing its wrong doing. Its a little bit one sided.<p>Although the problem with the UN is that its loaded with US allies and money.<p>But there should be some safe harbour, with fair process, for people who speak out, where ever they come from and from who ever they are exposing.

Yeah, but preferably from a democracy.

I would hate to see Snowden ending up in Venezuela. He would not only become another count to the homicide statistics in the country, but It will also give Maduro, an illegitimate president, something to boast about.

Then offer him asylum.

I wonder what they mean by &quot;former request&quot; for asylum. Isn&#x27;t asylum <i>the</i> case where &quot;former request&quot; is hard to get and should not be a priority while life seems at stake?

Somehow I am not inclined to hear an advice on freedom and humanity from the president of Venezuela... I understand they have their chance to stick it to the US and using it to the fullest, but you have to watch who you align with.

I used to think he was a pawn.<p>Now I think he has some sensitive information and he&#x27;s auctioning it and he has raised his profile to avoid being removed.