The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners has counted four teenagers, more than 170 women detained for political reasons and at least 16 people in total isolation, as well as 10 people over 70 years of age who are still detained – despite what the COPP says – and 90 people with serious health conditions.
Relatives and activists of the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners again requested the Public Ministry to review the cases of detainees for political reasons, especially people over 70 years of age and those who have chronic illnesses or pathologies that require specialized medical care.
“Justice and freedom,” the relatives demanded in front of the Public Ministry this Tuesday the 18th in an activity called “Presence of Hope.” Hiowanka Ávila recalled that there are four teenagers, more than 170 women detained for political reasons and at least 16 people in total isolation.
«Currently we have 10 people over 70 years of age who are still detained, with pathologies that must be treated. We also have 90 people with serious health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases and these cases have not yet been treated,” the young woman explained.
In that group of older adults are Aldo Rosso, Fernando Serrano, Fidel Brito, José Eustorgio Osorio, Luis Baló Farías, Macario González, Merys Torres de Sequea, Omar Vásques Lagonel, José Raúl Amiel and Miguel Castillo Cedeño.
The spokesperson recalled that they have gone to the Public Ministry on more than 10 occasions – where they delivered a new document – during the year to submit requests for the release of political prisoners, improvements in prison conditions, that acts of torture in prisons be investigated and that a dialogue table be established with relatives, but they have not obtained answers.
«There have been releases but women or people with serious illnesses have not been taken into account. This is a call for you to listen to us, because there have already been deaths in state custody and what we want is to prevent families from continuing to add to this suffering,” said Ávila.
*Read also: “Finally!”: businessman Noel Álvarez was released after 10 months “of unjust detention”
Earlier, the relatives of businessman Noel Álvarez reported his release from prison, after being detained in January of this year. The weekend also saw the release of French citizen Camilo Castro, who was under arrest and without criminal charges in the El Rodeo I prison, located in the state of Miranda.
Ávila’s brother, Henryberth Rivas, has been in isolation for 21 days along with four other people in El Rodeo I. The young woman reported that they are “24 hours handcuffed, naked, with little food and little water.”
«We have attended on several occasions, it is our turn to visit on Sundays and they have prohibited us from entering, they do not receive our packages, they do not receive our medicine. I have already reported on several occasions that my brother has a diarrhea situation that does not stop despite the antibiotics and probiotics that we have taken,” Ávila highlighted.
For his part, Luis Méndez, grandfather of the teenager Gabriel Rodríguez, demanded that Attorney General Tarek William Saab review the cases and grant the corresponding releases to him and the other three minors detained for political reasons.
Gabriel Rodríguez was arrested by National Guard officials on January 9, 2025 upon arriving at an outpatient clinic in Cabudare, Lara state, due to a fever. “They only arrested him for his clothing, for wearing Bermuda shorts and black flannel… We asked for evidence, but they told us that the appearance was enough.”
Méndez indicated that his grandson graduated with honors and obtained a place at UCLA for Civil Engineering. The adolescent’s concern is losing his opportunity to study. The family has even submitted to the Public Ministry records of a course that they were allowed to take in prison for their good behavior, as well as references from the community council in their area.
The trial against the teenager has been progressing. On November 5, he had a hearing, but it did not take place due to lack of transfer. This November 18, a new presentation was scheduled.
“Don’t worry, they’re alive.”
Sandra Hernández, wife of Sergeant Luis Bandres, reported at the activity that 16 soldiers, 13 of them for political reasons, are in forced disappearance, despite having completed their sentence, after being taken from the National Center for Military Prosecutions (Cenapromil) Los Teques, better known as the Ramo Verde prison, and taken to an unknown whereabouts.
«They told them to collect their belongings because they were going to be taken to court since they were going to be granted their freedom for having completed their full sentence. Biggest surprise that to this day they are missing,” said Hernández.
The relatives of this group of soldiers, according to Hernández, have gone to various detention centers and Fuerte Tiuna to try to obtain information, but they have not received answers. “There (in Fuerte Tiuna) they have told them not to worry because they are alive, but there is no certain faith of life.”
He highlighted that they are mostly lieutenant colonels and commanders “who were arrested, tortured, sentenced, served their sentences and to date are missing.”
On the other hand, he indicated that four other military political prisoners are isolated within Fort Guaicaipuro for eight months and at least 20 people “were taken from the Helicoide and to date they are also missing (…) The relatives are afraid, some have been threatened that if they continue to report they will be arrested.”
*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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