Venezuela TV host steps down over alleged recording

BOGOTA, Colombia -- A popular pro-government Venezuelan talk show host took a leave of absence Monday night hours after the leak of an alleged conversation he had with a Cuban intelligence official about President Nicolas Maduro’s battle with political opponents.

In the recording, TV personality Mario Silva allegedly tells high-ranking Cuban military intelligence officer Aramis Palacios about the chaotic state of Venezuelan politics. He is also said to have accused a relative of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, of leaking details about the late president’s battle with cancer.

Silva, a former confidant of Chavez, also allegedly accuses National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello of angling for power.

During Monday night’s broadcast of “The Blade,” his show, Silva told viewers the recording was a fake put together by “fascists” but that nevertheless he was taking a leave of “a few days” from the show for health reasons.

“‘The Blade’ has been on the air for nine years and this recording could be a montage of audio,” Silva said in a prerecorded statement, adding he was prepared to sacrifice himself for the Chavista socialist revolution. “It’s practically a perfect plan to destroy ‘The Blade.’ ”

The recording was released Monday by opposition National Assembly member Ismael Garcia at a news conference called by the Democratic Unity coalition of anti-government parties. The comments by government insider Silva reflect a “grave institutional crisis,” Garcia told reporters.

[Updated, 11:51 a.m. May 21: In the recording, Silva is allegedly heard attributing to Vice President Jorge Arreaza, who was Chavez’s son-in-law, leaks about Chavez’s health to newspaper columnist Nelson Bocaranda.

If legitimate, the recording not only raises questions about Maduro’s hold on power but also the propriety of Silva feeding inside information to a foreign intelligence officer.]

Silva caused controversy during last year’s presidential election by using his program as a platform from which to insult Chavez’s chief opponent, Henrique Capriles, calling him stupid and a thief.

Chavez won a fourth term in October, but was unable to attend his swearing in on Jan. 10 and died of cancer on March 5. Maduro, his chosen successor, won the presidency in a new election the following month.

ALSO:

Orphans, families in agonizing limbo

Cashing in on ‘Juliet’s balcony’ in Italy

Guatemalan court overturns Rios Montt conviction