The opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado spoke out this Wednesday after the forced disappearance of José Patines, general secretary of the Foreign Ministry workers’ union.
Through its social network leader He described Patines as a “brave and honest leader” and held the government of Nicolás Maduro directly responsible.
“José Patines (…) For years he has denounced the abuses and extreme conditions in which the regime keeps Venezuelan workers. José is our comrade in struggle, a social leader committed to respecting the rights of all citizens,” said Machado.
The leader also warned that the repression fails to silence those who defend freedom and human rights. “Through kidnappings and repression, the regime seeks to silence the voices of all those who fight for the freedom of Venezuela. The result is exactly the opposite: they strengthen our union, our urgency and our strength,” he expressed.
For its part, the Coalition of Unions reported that Patines was intercepted and detained by alleged State security forces around 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 16, near his residence in Guarenas, Miranda state. The organization recalled that the union member has a precautionary measure granted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and demanded his full and immediate release.
Since December 1, relatives and friends of the unionist had publicly denounced the harassment by repressive agents in front of his home. Since his disappearance, his whereabouts are unknown. and the authorities have not offered official information.
Context and reaction
José Patines is recognized for his activism in defense of the rights of Foreign Ministry workers and his union career. His disappearance adds to a pattern of harassment and repression towards union leaders and members of civil society in Venezuela, which has been denounced by national and international organizations.
The lack of official information has generated concern among family members, colleagues and human rights organizations, who call to guarantee the leader’s safety and respect for the international protection measures assigned to him.
