After concealing Eduardo Torres’ fate and whereabouts since May 9, high ranking Venezuelan authorities confirmed his detention on May 13 and disclosed he was being held at the infamous El Helicoide in Caracas. Other human rights defenders are also being arbitrarily held in this facility, including Javier Tarazona, Rocío San Miguel, Carlos Julio Rojas, and Kennedy Tejeda. These detentions and related international crimes fall within a systematic attack on civil space and human rights defenders. We call on Nicolás Maduro to immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals and ensure their rights to life, physical integrity, and fair trial are respected.
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PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: November 21, 2025
President Nicolás Maduro,
I am writing to express my concern for the arbitrary detention of Eduardo Torres and his safety.
I remain equally concerned over the fate and rights of other human rights defenders also arbitrarily detained for their work and activism in El Helicoide, including Javier Tarazona, detained since July 2, 2021; Rocío San Miguel, detained on February 9, 2024 and who requires urgent surgery and rehabilitation; Carlos Julio Rojas, detained since April 15, 2024; and Kennedy Tejeda, detained on August 2, 2024.
Almost 900 other politically motivated arbitrary detainees, including nationals from Spain, the US, Uruguay, Colombia, and Ukraine, amongst other nationalities, are currently being unfairly held in Venezuelan detention centers, suffering an endless list of other human rights violations. These detentions come hand in hand with smear campaigns and criminalization of human rights organizations and their leaders.
I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Eduardo Torres, Javier Tarazona, Rocío San Miguel, Carlos Julio Rojas, and Kennedy Tejeda, and all arbitrary detainees in Venezuela, and that you ensure their rights to life, physical integrity, and to a fair trial. Finally, we demand a stop to all attacks on civic space, including by repealing the so-called ‘anti-NGO law’ as well as other abusive and arbitrary legislation.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Other Urgent Actions for this Case
- Fourth UA Issued: [Venezuela 1.25]
- Third UA Issued: [Venezuela 1.25]
- First UA Issued: [Venezuela 1.25]
Additional Resources and Ways to Act
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UA : Second 29.25Urgent Action
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