Alfredo Díaz, affectionately known as “Alfredito”, was a Venezuelan political figure, a long-time activist of the Democratic Action party (AD). His career He focused on the state of Nueva Esparta, where he built a solid career policy based on local and regional public service.
Díaz began his political path as councilor of the Mariño municipality in the aforementioned entity, position for which he was reelected on several occasions, even presiding over the Municipal Council.
His rise continued to be elected mayor of the same municipality in 2008, achieving re-election in 2013. His highest position was as governor of Nueva Esparta for the period between 2017 and 2021.
As an opposition leader, Díaz remained firm in his democratic convictions, standing out for his determined support for the victory of presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. in the elections of July 28despite the official proclamation of Nicolás Maduro.
Díaz also echoed complaints about the arrest of Venezuelans after the post-election protests and about the Persistent failures in the electrical service in Nueva Esparta.
After completing his term as governor, Díaz was arrested in 2024 on accusations of corruption and alleged illicit financing, charges that the opposition and human rights organizations described as political and fabricated.
Alfredo Díaz was married with Leynys Malavé de Díazwho was his companion both in family life and in the public sphere. Malavé became the main spokesperson for the family during her husband’s detention, actively using social networks to denounce the conditions of his imprisonment and demand respect for his human rights.
The couple had children, although the identity of their children has been kept strictly private. This discretion was taken by the family to protect their safety given the tense political situation surrounding the former governor’s career and arrest.
Detention and Death
The political life of Alfredo Díaz It was cut short by the persecution of the Venezuelan government. Died on December 5, 2025 while he was detained at the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin), known as El Helicoide, in Caracas.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Voluntad Popular (VP) party, which indicated that Díaz He died of a massive heart attack while he was “unfairly” detained.
Opposition leaders such as Leopoldo López and Antonio Ledezma strongly condemned the death, calling it “yet another crime of tyranny” and a “silent execution.”
Ledezma and López They assured that Díaz’s death was a direct result of the systematic denial of timely medical attention from the State, despite the fact that his heart problems were known.
The pain of his detention was compounded by the fact that, according to VP, Díaz died without being able to say goodbye to his mother, who died while he was in custody.
The death of Alfredo Díaz, described as an “irreparable loss” and an act of “kidnapping”, joins the list of fatalities in political detention centers in Venezuela and has intensified international calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to rule on systematic crimes committed in the country.
Díaz is remembered by his teammates as an “exemplary public servant” and a “tireless defender of democratic principles.”
