A second prisoner detained during protests following the disputed re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has died in prison, an NGO and the prisoner’s son said yesterday, who also claims authorities have denied his father’s death.
Jesús Rafael Álvarez,44,detained in the midst of the post-election crisis,died on Thursday in the maximum security prison of Tocuyito (Carabobo,center),reported the Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) and the Committee for Political Freedom. Prisoners.
“They punished my father and killed him in prison,” accused his son, also named Jesús Álvarez, in an OVP statement.
“in said photo he saw his father unrecognizable: emaciated, bearded, very thin (…). He observed that his cheekbone was swollen, with obvious signs of a blow,” the OVP added.
When Álvarez’s family tried to start procedures to remove the body, Tocuyito officials assured that “ther are no deaths.”
Álvarez is the second death in custody since protests against Maduro erupted, leaving 27 dead and nearly 200 injured.
The first was Jesús Manuel Martínez, 36 years old and member of the party of the opposition leader, María Corina Machado. He died in a hospital in the city of Barcelona, in the east of the country, due to a heart problem associated with type II diabetes.
More than 2,400 people have been arrested following protests following Maduro’s proclamation for a third six-year term, amid opposition accusations of fraud. Authorities reported the release of around 300 people, although the NGO Foro Penal, which defends “political prisoners”, managed to register only around 208, including teenagers.
Relatives of detainees reported that their relatives faced torture, ill-treatment, and nutritional deficiencies in prisons.
“My dad was a healthy person,he didn’t suffer from anything. There they punished him just because he was hungry. If he complained he was isolated and tied up.If he asked to talk to the family, they beat him,” Álvarez Jr.complained.
One missing. On the other hand, Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced the alleged forced disappearance of the Spanish-Venezuelan citizen Sofía maría Sahagún Ortiz, who disappeared on October 23 at Caracas airport, while she was preparing to go to Madrid.
According to this human rights organization, Sahagún’s family last heard from her through the text message she sent to her husband informing him that she had passed immigration control before boarding the plane.
According to HRW’s Americas director, Juanita Goebertus, “Sahagún Ortiz appears to be the victim of an enforced disappearance, a serious crime under international law and unfortunately common in Venezuela today.”
HRW explains that international law defines enforced disappearance as the detention of a person by state forces or their agents, who refuse to recognise such detention or to disclose the person’s whereabouts.
After Sahagún Ortiz disappeared,police officers repeatedly went to her home,harassing relatives and acquaintances with questions about the family,her husband told HRW,which lead him and his children to first move out and days later to flee from Venezuela.
Moreover, on October 30, the family’s lawyer approached the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman’s Office to ask them to investigate the case, but prosecutors refused to launch an investigation. According to the NGO, they chose to refer the case to the Scientific, Criminal and Criminal Investigation Corps (Cicpc), a branch of the police tasked with carrying out forensic investigations.
“the Venezuelan government must urgently disclose his whereabouts and the Spanish authorities must put pressure on Maduro to guarantee his rights,” Goebertus said.
Other Spaniards. The case of Sahagún Ortiz would join that of other Spaniards detained in Venezuela. Indeed, the PP spokesperson at the Congress of Deputies, miguel Tellado, denounced, after meeting the victims of the repression of Nicolás Maduro’s regime and the representatives of the complaints before the International Criminal Court (ICC), that among the 1,900 political prisoners who are Si he estimates that there are 16 Spaniards in Venezuelan prisons.
It is unclear whether this figure includes the two Spaniards detained and accused of being part of an opposition-orchestrated plot against Maduro. Andrés Martínez Adasme, 32, and José María Basoa Valdovinos, 35, were arrested in early September.
According to Caracas, both were linked to the CNI, something the government has always denied. Despite repeated requests from the Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, for both to receive consular assistance, so far there is no evidence that they have been able to receive a visit from the Spanish consul.
How can international organizations effectively intervene too support Venezuelan citizens amid escalating violence?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Human Rights Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the pressing issues that shape our world. Today, we’re discussing the alarming situation in Venezuela following the recent protests against President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed re-election. Joining me is Dr. Sofia Ramirez, a human rights expert who has been closely following the developments in Venezuela. Dr.Ramirez, thank you for being here.
Dr. Sofia Ramirez: thank you for having me. It’s crucial to bring attention to what is happening in Venezuela right now.
Time.news Editor: Just yesterday, we learned of the tragic death of Jesús Rafael Álvarez in the maximum security prison of Tocuyito. This marks the second death in custody amid ongoing protests. Can you share your thoughts on the implications of these events?
Dr. Sofia Ramirez: Absolutely.The death of Jesús Rafael Álvarez is a stark reminder of the brutal conditions many detainees face in Venezuelan prisons. His son’s accusations—claiming that his father was punished and ultimately killed—highlight the widespread abuse and lack of accountability within the Venezuelan prison system. This situation raises serious concerns about the government’s treatment of political prisoners and the potential for further violence.
Time.news Editor: it seems alarming that when Álvarez’s family sought to retrieve his body, officials denied any deaths had occurred in the facility. What does this tell us about the openness of the Venezuelan authorities?
Dr.sofia ramirez: This denial is indicative of a broader pattern of obfuscation and denial by the Maduro regime. By dismissing the existence of deaths within the prison, authorities aim to avoid scrutiny and accountability. It creates a chilling effect, discouraging families from pursuing justice for their loved ones, and reinforces an atmosphere of fear and repression.
Time.news editor: Following these protests, over 2,400 people have been arrested. How do such high levels of incarceration impact the social fabric of Venezuela?
Dr. Sofia Ramirez: High levels of incarceration, especially for political reasons, can fracture a society. Families are often left devastated, with numerous individuals arrested for merely exercising their right to protest. This not only leads to widespread fear but also prevents meaningful dialog and progress toward resolving the underlying issues facing the populace. Additionally, the medical and psychological toll on those detained and their families can be profound and lasting.
Time.news Editor: we also saw the death of Jesús Manuel Martínez, another detainee, reportedly due to health complications in hospital. What does this say about the treatment of detainees in these facilities?
Dr. Sofia Ramirez: Martínez’s case underscores the deplorable health conditions within Venezuelan prisons. The fact that he died due to complications related to diabetes indicates a failure to provide adequate medical care. This lack of healthcare is an egregious violation of human rights and suggests systemic neglect of prisoners’ well-being. It illustrates a critical need for international oversight and intervention to ensure humane treatment.
Time.news Editor: With escalating violence and human rights abuses, what can the international community do to support the people of Venezuela during this crisis?
Dr. Sofia Ramirez: The international community has a role to play in several ways. frist, external pressure through sanctions on key officials can deter further abuses. Second, support for humanitarian efforts and organizations that focus on documenting human rights violations is crucial. Lastly, advocating for dialogue and peaceful resolutions, while holding the government accountable, is essential for long-term change in Venezuela.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Ramirez, thank you for providing such crucial insights on this tragic situation. as the world watches, we hope for a resolution that brings justice and safety to the people of Venezuela.
Dr. Sofia ramirez: Thank you for highlighting these crucial issues.It’s vital that we continue to shed light on the injustices occurring in Venezuela.