Relatives of Colombians imprisoned in Venezuela once again blocked the Simón Bolívar bridge, demanding a response and guarantees for their loved ones.
Since there was no response from the Nicolás Maduro regime to the request they have been making for several months, the relatives of the people held in various prisons in Venezuela decided again block the Simón Bolívar international bridge.
Two people chained themselves in the middle of the border area and were installed 18 fences blocking vehicular passageleaving only pedestrian traffic enabled, and they allow it every 30 minutes.
Relatives have been denouncing that their loved ones were arbitrarily detained, that there is no just cause, because they did not commit any crime.
You may be interested in: Last days to access enrollment in public schools in Bogotá 2026: know the deadline
Sandra Gómez, who has her husband detained, told La FM: “We have exhausted all channels of dialogue with both governments of Colombia and Venezuela, but unfortunately our loved ones do not receive the procedural guarantees and are accused of terrorism and espionage. We are afraid of what could happen to them in the face of constant violation of human rights”.
Gómez added that on November 20 they met with the vice minister of Colombia, Mauricio Jaramillo, who said he was helping them. They hoped that they would return to their homes before the end of November, but given the lack of response from Venezuela, they once again decided to protest.
You may be interested in:Vía Chocó–Risaralda is enabled after burning vehicles by action of the ELN
On October 24, they were released on the Tienditas bridge. 18 Colombians that they had been detained, without due judicial process having been carried out.
These people were handed over to the Foreign Minister of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, and the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Milton Rengifo.
Among those released was the lawyer Edwin Colmenareswho had been detained in prisons in the neighboring country for more than ten months. His case had been the subject of complaints from family members and human rights organizations, who denounced irregularities in his capture and prolonged detention.
Edwin Colmenares told La FM: “I am here supporting these families in these protests, because I have already experienced this tragedy, without having any type of communication with loved ones, and I do not wish this anguish on anyone. That is why we are going to continue protesting and demand support from the Colombian authorities, who announced on October 24 that they would have other releases and there is still no progress.”
Source: Integrated Information System
