Families of Political Prisoners Honor Mother of Man Who Died in Custody

In a poignant ceremony outside the El Rodeo I penitentiary, families of political prisoners gathered to honor Carmen Teresa Navas, the mother of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas. Her son, a political prisoner, was confirmed by Venezuelan authorities to have died in state custody in July 2025, a year after his disappearance. This tribute, held on Mother's Day, shines a light on the profound pain and unwavering resilience of mothers seeking truth and justice for their detained children.

The family's struggle for information has been arduous, marked by inconsistencies between official accounts and their own findings. Carmen Teresa Navas's relentless search for her son, spanning over a year and a half, became a symbol of maternal devotion and a stark indictment of the state's opaque handling of political detainees. The homage paid to her acknowledges not only her personal grief but also her role in exposing a painful truth that resonates across Venezuela.

“

Today we gather to honor the memory of Víctor Hugo Quero. Víctor was a son, a Venezuelan, a loved one whose life was taken while in state custody. He did not die in obscurity. He was disappeared, denied, hidden and became an open wound for his mother, for his family and for an entire country that still demands truth and justice.

As the tribute stated, Víctor Hugo Quero was more than just a statistic; he was a son, a Venezuelan, and a loved one whose life was extinguished while under the state's watch. His disappearance, denial, and concealment transformed him into an open wound for his family and a symbol of the broader national demand for accountability. The recognition of Carmen Teresa Navas's fight underscores the deep-seated desire for truth and justice that persists within Venezuelan society.

From Venezuela's perspective, this event is a somber reminder of the human cost of political repression. While international media may report on the political situation, the local narrative is deeply personal, focusing on the anguish of families and the courage of individuals like Carmen Teresa Navas. Her struggle, and the collective memory of those lost in custody, serve as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of those who refuse to let their loved ones be forgotten. The demand for truth and justice is not abstract; it is a deeply felt need for closure and accountability for every life unjustly taken.

“

When she asked for proof of life for her son, she was also asking for the children of other mothers who suffered like her.