Delsa Solórzano Demands Clarity on Contradictions in Political Prisoner's Death Case

The Venezuelan opposition leader, Delsa Solórzano, has vehemently demanded a comprehensive investigation into the death of political prisoner Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, asserting that the state must clarify the significant contradictions surrounding his demise. Solórzano's call, articulated via her X account, emphasizes that Quero Navas cannot be subjected to "double burial: first in silence and then in impunity." The recent exhumation of his remains has not only unearthed his physical remains but also a host of unanswered questions that the Venezuelan state is obligated to address. A key point of contention is the conflicting documentation regarding Quero Navas's death. Official statements place his death on July 24, 2025, while a temporary death certificate indicates July 27, and the official death certificate was issued on July 30. This temporal inconsistency directly violates the law, which mandates inhumation or cremation within 48 hours of death. Solórzano further questions the necessity and execution of an autopsy, especially for a detainee, and demands transparency regarding its order, performance, and evidence preservation. The delay in handing over the body to the family also raises serious concerns. Perhaps most disturbingly, a judge reportedly reviewed Quero Navas's case to deny him amnesty, despite the prisoner allegedly having died months prior. Solórzano decries this as a grave indicator of institutional disarray, concealment, or manipulation of sensitive information. She insists that the case warrants investigation under the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths, underscoring the gravity of the alleged state misconduct.

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Víctor Quero cannot be buried twice: first in silence and then in impunity.