Yon Goicoechea
Born (1984-11-08) November 8, 1984
Caracas, Venezuela
NationalityVenezuelan
Alma materColumbia Law School
Andrés Bello Catholic University
Occupation(s)Lawyer
Activist
Organizer

Yon Alexander Goicoechea Lara (born 8 November 1984)[1][2] is a Venezuelan lawyer, activist and organizer. He emerged as one of the leaders behind the Venezuelan Student Movement, which formed as a result of actions by Hugo Chavez to amass further power as the country's president.[3] He holds degrees from the Andrés Bello Catholic University and Columbia University.

Milton Friedman Prize

In 2008, the Cato Institute awarded Goicoechea the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty which comes with an award of $500,000.[4] At the time, Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa called Goicoechea, "a symbol of… democratic reaction when freedom is threatened."[5] After receiving the Prize, Goicoechea experienced harassment in Venezuela, and state-run television depicted him as a cartoon clutching wards of cash stamped with the words "Made in USA."[6] As a result of his activism, he experienced death threats, which led him to move between various friends' homes to stay safe. President Chávez called the Goicoechea-led student movement, a "fascist attack."[7] In 2013, Goicochea decided to leave Venezuela with his family.

Return to Venezuela

After a period abroad, working and studying in the USA and Spain, Goicoechea returned to Venezuela in 2016 to rejoin the political arena. In an interview on June 26, Goicoechea explained that his return was marked by a renewed enthusiasm for the future of Venezuela.[8] After leaving the Primero Justicia political party, Goicoechea joined another opposition organization, Popular Will, and campaigned for the recall referendum against president Nicolás Maduro.[9]

Detention

On August 29, 2016 Goicoechea was detained while driving in La Trinidad, a neighborhood of Caracas.[10] Witnesses indicated that the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) was responsible for his detention,[11] but PSUV vice president and National Assembly deputy Diosdado Cabello later acknowledged his detention during a government rally. Cabello stated that Goicoechea had been arrested with "explosives and detonators".[12] For two days no news were heard of his whereabouts raising concerns of his spouse,[13] fellow party members and Human Rights Foundation.[14] On August 31, 2016 and after his lawyer, Nizar El Fakih, filed a lawsuit for unlawful detention and imprisonment,[15] Goicoechea was taken to an arraignment court in Caracas.[16] On arraignment, his lawyer stated his detention was not only irregularly executed, but that the charges being raised against Goicoechea had no basis of evidence. During the preliminary hearing on Friday September 2, 2016, an arraignment judge ordered that Goicoechea should remain under police custody without bail.[17] After hearing the charges and pleading not guilty, Goicoechea expressed his commitment to both democracy and a non-violent struggle for a better future in Venezuela.[18] He was paroled in October, and later wrote about his experiences in an editorial for The New York Times.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Goicoechea Lara Yon Alexander - Edo. Miranda - Venezuela | Dateas.com". M.dateas.com. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  2. ↑ "Eventos de 8/11/1984". www.ponteiro.com.br. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Romero, Simon (2007-11-10). "Students Emerge as a Leading Force Against Chávez". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  4. ↑ "Student wins $500,000 for challenging Chavez". NBC News. Associated Press. April 23, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Venezuelan Student Movement Leader Awarded $500,000 Milton Friedman Liberty Prize". Cato Institute. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ James, Ian (May 27, 2008). "Venezuela targets student". The Washington Times.
  7. ↑ Romero, Simon (November 10, 2007). "Students Emerge as a Leading Force Against Chávez". New York Times.
  8. ↑ "Yon Goicoechea en entrevista: Yo regresé y regresarán millones, porque Venezuela tiene futuro – LaPatilla.com". www.lapatilla.com. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  9. ↑ Delgado, Melanie, Yon Goicoechea: Regresé para reivindicarme como político, retrieved 2016-08-29
  10. ↑ "David Smolansky on Twitter". Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  11. ↑ "08.29.16: Yon Goicoechea". 29 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  12. ↑ "Cabello confirma detención de Goicoechea y lo acusa de tener "cordones detonantes" | CaraotaDigital". Archived from the original on 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  13. ↑ VPA, Prensa. "Rosaura Goicoechea: Tengo más de 35 horas sin saber nada de mi esposo, temo por su vida". voluntadpopular.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  14. ↑ Foundation, Human Rights. "Venezuela: HRF Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Fabrication of Evidence Against Opposition Leader | News | Human Rights Foundation". Human Rights Foundation. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  15. ↑ "Abogado de Goicoechea solicitó un amparo constitucional". Archived from the original on 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  16. ↑ "Yon Goicoechea fue presentado en tribunales - Unión Radio". 31 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "Goicoechea fue imputado y permanecerá detenido". Archived from the original on 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  18. ↑ "Nizar El Fakih (@nizarUCAB) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. ↑ Goicoechea, Yon (2017-09-04). "Opinion | I Am in Prison Because I Want Freedom for My Country". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
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