Chavez opponent escapes from prison

CARACAS, Venezuela, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A prominent union leader and leading opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has escaped from prison, El Universal reported Monday.

Carlos Ortega escaped from a military prison over the weekend. Guards at the facility said Sunday they found pillows under a blanket meant to look like the inmate was sleeping, the report said.

Ortega helped orchestrate the 2002-2003 labor strikes that crippled the Venezuelan economy, particularly its lucrative oil and gas industries.