Activists urge US to intervene as families of Venezuelan political prisoners face deaths

A group of activists has implored the United States government to mediate and prevent further deaths among the families of political prisoners in Venezuela. This urgent appeal comes one month after the passing of Carmen Navas, the mother of Víctor Quero, who died while in Venezuelan state custody. The activists gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, holding photographs of their detained relatives, candles, and banners.

"We do not want another mother to die searching for or waiting for her son. We ask the diplomatic representatives to please be mediators so that all political prisoners are released," stated Francis Quiñones, mother of Sergeant Jonathan Franco Quiñones, who is serving a 24-year sentence for alleged involvement in 'Operation Gideon.' The activists are demanding "concrete, effective, and urgent" actions from the Venezuelan government to ensure that "no mother or grandmother dies waiting for justice."

According to the NGO Foro Penal, 389 individuals remain imprisoned in Venezuela for political reasons. However, the Venezuelan government denies holding detainees for such motives, asserting that those incarcerated have indeed committed crimes. The demonstration at the U.S. Embassy included prayers and the release of a balloon in memory of Carmen Navas.

The situation highlights the dire circumstances faced by families of political prisoners in Venezuela, where concerns over their well-being and the conditions of detention are mounting. The activists' plea to the U.S. government underscores the international dimension of the Venezuelan political crisis and the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice.

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We do not want another mother to die searching for or waiting for her son. We ask the diplomatic representatives to please be mediators so that all political prisoners are released.