An army general from Venezuela, who criticized the “socialism or death” motto of President Hugo Chavez, has been released from military detention, but his attorney said Wednesday that he still could be charged with a crime.

According to CNN, “Gen. Angel Vivas Perdomo was detained by military intelligence agents Tuesday while driving near his home in the capital, Caracas. He was released Tuesday night after being questioned for nearly nine hours, but he was ordered not to leave the capital and to report to the military prosecutor’s office twice a month, attorney Jose Zaa said.”

The government would not say why the general was detained, but the incident occurred after he said publicly that a Cuban-inspired troop salute ordered by Chavez violates the military’s apolitical tradition and is unconstitutional.

Gen. Perdomo has requested for Venezuela’s Supreme Court to toss out the salute: “Fatherland, socialism, death! We will triumph!” He has not yet been charged with any crime; however authorities notified him they are looking into charges of insubordination and “offending the armed forces.”

Lawyer Zaa is quoted by CNN as saying, “what he did was defend the armed forces, and he never disobeyed a single order. He was just acting in defense of the constitution … (Gen. Perdomo) was neither down nor defeated, but he is worried because the procedure against him is unclear.”

The general remains unapologetic. Shortly before his detention, he suggested changing the slogan with a declaration by 19^th century independence hero, Francisco de Miranda: “Death to tyranny! Long live freedom!”

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