Organizations such as Provea and the Committee of Relatives for the Freedom of Political Prisoners called on the authorities to provide real information about the releases and provide a list with all the names and place of confinement of the people who benefited from precautionary measures. Likewise, they reiterated their demand for the release of all those detained for political reasons.
They were the first to arrive and the last to leave the Helicoide. As soon as the statements by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, regarding a series of releases of political prisoners were released, dozens of relatives went to different prisons, including the well-known Sebin headquarters, to verify the releases with precautionary measures of their loved ones.
Despite the wait, some left without the long-awaited hug this January 8, but with optimism of being called to know the long-awaited release from prison. One of the first to approach was Marta Cambero, wife of political scientist Nicmer Evans.
Sebin officials told Cambero that they had been notified about Jorge Rodríguez’s statements, but after 2:30 pm the release tickets had not arrived at that location. They told him that “perhaps” these releases would materialize late at night or during the early hours of January 9.
He explained that, since his arrest, he has been able to communicate and deliver packages continuously until the events of January 3. However, on Thursday he was able to deliver the clothes and food to the political scientist, whose charges are still unclear.
Valeria Somaza, sister of Luis Somaza, was another of the relatives who approached Helicoide because “she couldn’t stand the anxiety,” despite not being certain that the Voluntad Popular leader would be released. His last communication with his brother was on Monday, January 5.
“He told us he was fine, we brought him packages on Tuesday and everything was fine,” said Somaza, who went nine months without seeing him before they allowed the first sighting last November.
During the visits they focus on talking mostly about the family and what is happening outside. “I was happy to see him eager to go out and work in Venezuela.”
*Read also: Read here who are the political prisoners released after Jorge Rodríguez’s announcement
Valeria also commented that it was a relief to know that he did receive all his meals, and she was even surprised to see him with better muscles. The leader explained to him that the only activity he is allowed is to do exercises such as push-ups.
“I expected a depressed Luis, he has his moments, his difficult days, but we talked about what happens outside, we were able to bring him to the kids. I think that for security reasons he doesn’t tell us the things that happen (inside the Helicoide), but we will find out when he comes out,” he said.
Atalí Cabrejo, mother of political prisoner Juan José Freites, coordinator of Vente Venezuela in La Guaira, also arrived at the detention center after learning of Rodríguez’s statements. Like other family members, he had not even received a call to confirm if he would be included in this batch of releasees, of which the authorities never gave a specific number.
“This is something very good for everyone. With this we are going to see that they really want a change and what better way than to free all the innocents. All of them. That is what we hope for,” Cabrejo said.
Until 5:20 pm, when only the releases of four Spanish citizens in El Rodeo I and that of the activist Rocío San Miguel, detained since February 9, 2024, had been confirmed, family members, neighbors and the media were able to be two blocks from the entrance of Helicoide. They were then moved from the site to Victoria Avenue by PNB officials, who recorded the journalists on several occasions, alleging a “changing of the guard.”
Organizations such as Provea and the Committee of Relatives for the Freedom of Political Prisoners they made a call the authorities to give real information and provide a list with all the names and place of confinement of the people to be released under precautionary measures. Likewise, they reiterated their demand for the release of all those detained for political reasons.
The anxiety of the family members increased as the hours passed. However, at 9:38 pm, journalist Vladimir Villegas’ networks reported on the release of Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri. Both were detained in El Helicoide and were handed over to their relatives in the Altamira neighborhood.
*Read also: Enrique Márquez and Biagio Pilieri were released: they went out on patrol at Helicoide
Some relatives were disconcerted by the event, and others were more hopeful of seeing the faces of their loved ones outside of prison. But again, time diluted the optimism.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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