Families of political prisoners resist for 152 days in Venezuela's El Rodeo I camp

At the El Rodeo I camp in Venezuela's Miranda state, mothers and grandmothers are at the forefront of a 152-day protest, their days marked by a slow passage of time and a fervent hope for the freedom of their detained relatives. The families arrived on January 8, and nearly a month later, on February 7, Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, pledged to open the prisons for the release of political detainees. However, five months have passed, and according to NGOs like Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, more than 600 political prisoners remain in the country, with at least 150 held at this Miranda facility.

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We looked for them everywhere and they told us: 'They are not here.'

Known as the "camp of dignity," this site has seen families face not only bewilderment and desperation but also days spent enduring harsh sun and rain. Despite these challenges, their faith remains unwavering. For many, God is their sustainer, offering a path to eventual justice for their experiences under the Chavismo government.

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If there is one thing people fear, it is cancer. Not so much the disease as the treatment.

The article presents six testimonies from families of political prisoners who have maintained their vigil for five months. These accounts reveal the profound pain of individuals who feel mocked by authorities, viewing the detainees as bargaining chips subjected to an agonizingly long wait. The families describe conversations within the camp as difficult, often reopening emotional wounds as they recount the cases of their loved ones.

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I have no idea that cancer causes hallucinations and that you talk about unseen bullshit while thinking you are Cicero.

Melva Vázquez, 69, shared her story while knitting a sweater adorned with the Venezuelan flag for a fellow protester. She spoke of her son, Merwyn Simons, and her daughter, Ányela Bermúdez, who are detained at El Rodeo I and La Crisálida, respectively. Her children were arrested on August 7, 2025, and linked to the Plaza Venezuela case, accused of planning to detonate a bomb. This led to the arrest of dozens under charges of terrorism and criminal association. For five months, like many others, Vázquez was denied information about her children's whereabouts until she confirmed they were at El Rodeo I, despite being told, "They are not here."

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You know there's no salvation, but you have to be good, shut up, not s***, and ask nothing.