Venezuela Condemns U.S. Ruling

Suddenly squeamish over torture...--Dictynna

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 28, 2005

Filed at 9:00 p.m. ET

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuela on Wednesday condemned a U.S. court ruling that blocks the deportation of a Cuban militant wanted in the South American country for a 1976 airliner bombing, denying a judge's claims that he could be tortured if handed over. Cuba called the decision ''disgraceful.''

President Hugo Chavez said the decision by a U.S. immigration judge in the case of Luis Posada Carriles protects a terrorist and shows the ''cynicism of the empire,'' a term he uses for President Bush's government.