Relatives of Political Prisoners Honor Man Who Died in Venezuelan State Custody

In a poignant act of remembrance and defiance, relatives of political prisoners in Venezuela gathered on May 10th to honor Víctor Quero Navas, whose death in state custody was finally acknowledged by the government this week. The commemoration, held near the El Rodeo I penitentiary outside Caracas, served as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis within the country and the state's alleged pattern of concealing the fates of detainees.

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His mother searched for him at Rodeo I, but the authorities denied his detention, concealed his death, and destroyed evidence.

According to reports, Quero Navas died in July 2025, having been forcibly disappeared since January of that year. His mother's relentless search for him was met with official denials of his detention until the government's recent confirmation. A banner placed near the prison read, "In memory of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, died under state custody in July 2025, after being forcibly disappeared since January of that year." The message further accused authorities of hiding his death and destroying evidence, highlighting the deep mistrust between citizens and the state.

Small placards surrounding the memorial bore slogans such as "Let no one else die in custody," "Truth for Víctor, freedom for all," and "No death in custody can go unpunished." These messages, alongside floral arrangements and candles, underscored the families' demand for justice and accountability. The NGO Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPP) shared images of the event, emphasizing that the memorial on Mother's Day was a call for justice for Quero Navas and others like him.

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Let no one else die in custody.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado expressed solidarity with the mothers fighting for their sons, stating that all Venezuelan women were united in their struggle. She reiterated her call for the release of all political prisoners before more lives are lost. With Quero Navas's death, the number of political detainees who have died in custody since 2014 rises to 27, according to human rights organizations Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEP) and Provea. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) also conveyed its profound sorrow and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Quero Navas's death, calling for accountability from officials, including the Minister of Penitentiary Service and former high-ranking officials.

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Truth for Víctor, freedom for all.

This event is particularly significant in Venezuela, where the state's handling of political dissent and the conditions within its detention facilities remain a grave concern. The families' persistent efforts to seek truth and justice, despite state obstruction, highlight the resilience of civil society in the face of an authoritarian regime. The international community watches closely as these demands for accountability continue to echo.

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No death in custody can go unpunished.