VENEZUELA: IMMEDIATELY RELEASE HUNDREDS OF DETAINEES

Mr. Attorney General,

I regret that the decision to release arbitrary detainees was not extended to all those subjected to this grave human rights violation. Arbitrary detentions and the many other connected human rights violations must cease now, including those of Jonathan Delgado, Nudre Chourio, Olbis Dirinot, Rafael Guedes, Renny González, Roberto Pérez, and hundreds more.

It is concerning that the fate and whereabouts of Jorgen Guanares have remained unknown since August 2024, and that Juan Carlos Marrufo has continued to be denied adequate medical care despite suffering an urgent need for it. Recent reports of alleged torture, enforced disappearance, and ill-treatment in the ‘Rodeo I’ prison illustrate the horrific conditions in which detainees are kept.

No victim of arbitrary detention who has been released should be subjected to arbitrary criminal proceedings and abusive restrictions of their rights, like Javier Tarazona, Carlos Julio Rojas, Rocío San Miguel, and the many others who have been released after suffering politically motivated arbitrary detention, like Emirlendris Benítez and María Auxiliadora Delgado.

I call on you to ensure the immediate release of all of those arbitrarily detained in Venezuela. Amid the humanitarian crisis deepened by the recent earthquakes, every detainee in state custody must have their life protected, their fate and whereabouts known, and adequate medical care and family visits guaranteed. Finally, the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights must be granted full access to detainees in the country, including authorization to monitor and document human rights violations.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]