Public Ministry: Víctor Quero Navas died from pulmonary thromboembolism

The Venezuelan Public Ministry has concluded its investigation into the death of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, who was imprisoned for political reasons at the Rodeo I Penitentiary Center. The official findings state that Quero Navas died from a pulmonary thromboembolism.

According to a statement released on social media, the ministry detailed that necropsy results, along with histological, toxicological, and other complementary expert analyses, led to the determination of the cause of death. Crucially, the investigation found no evidence of traumatic injuries on the body, thereby ruling out any signs consistent with a violent death.

Forensic studies conducted after the exhumation of Quero Navas's body provided an estimated time of death ranging from 10 months to one year prior to the examination. The investigation involved the exhumation and autopsy on May 8, 2026, carried out by a forensic medical team. This procedure was conducted with the participation of the National Service of Forensic Medicine and Sciences, the Ombudsman's Office, and the deceased's family members, who were assisted by their legal counsel.

Genetic analysis performed by the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Investigations (IVIC) on bone tissue and blood samples from Carmen Teresa Navas, the deceased's mother, confirmed a biological relationship with a statistical probability of 99.496%. This confirmed that the exhumed remains were indeed those of her biological son.

The case of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas occurred within a context of heightened public sensitivity regarding the conditions in Venezuelan prisons. The El Rodeo complex, in particular, has been the subject of numerous complaints from families and organizations citing concerns over detention conditions, lack of access to healthcare, and procedural guarantees.