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12/16/2004:

"US Assails Venezuela's High Court Scheme"

The State Department accused Venezuela on Wednesday of "packing" its Supreme Court to ensure a pro-government majority and said the move calls into question the country's commitment to judicial independence.

The Venezuelan Congress, dominated by supporters of President Hugo Chavez, appointed new justices on Monday in carrying out a court expansion from 20 to 32 that won legislative approval last spring.

Full Article : guardian.co.uk