VENEZUELA: FEW RELEASES, HUNDREDS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS REMAIN DETAINED IN VENEZUELA 

Mr. Attorney General,

I am writing to condemn the Venezuelan authorities’ continued refusal to release all those arbitrarily detained in Venezuela.

It is deeply unsettling that high-ranking government authorities tacitly acknowledge that hundreds are being held unlawfully, yet fail to take decisive action, despite having the power to do so.

Arbitrary detention is a serious human rights violation and is often compounded by other prohibited acts. This is the case, for instance, of Jorgen Guanares, whose fate and whereabouts have been unknown since August 2024, and of Emirlendris Benítez and Juan Carlos Marrufo, who are currently denied adequate medical care despite urgent needs.

Families, communities, and civil society organizations are being forced to deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what could happen to those detained, including the potential for death in custody, like in the shocking and widely condemned case of Victor Hugo Quero Navas.

I call on you to ensure the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. While in state custody, every detainee must have their life protected, their fate and whereabouts known, as well as all fair trial guarantees, including the right to counsel of choice, adequate medical care, and family visits.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]