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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Crime & Justice

Two Political Prisoners Released in Venezuela After Nearly Four Years

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Political prisoners Jackson Vera and Ricardo Cariel were released after nearly four years of arbitrary detention.
  • They were arrested on August 5, 2022, without a formal warrant, an act human rights organizations deemed a "baseless setup."
  • Their release is seen as a victory for civil society efforts, but activists emphasize the ongoing struggle for other political prisoners.

Jackson Vera and Ricardo Cariel, recognized as political prisoners, have been released from detention after enduring nearly four years of what their families and human rights advocates describe as arbitrary imprisonment. The two men walked free on Friday from the La Planta Judicial Processing Center in Caracas.

Today, finally after almost four years, my brother and Ricardo are free. We must continue for the freedom of all political prisoners.

— Fabiana VeraSister of Jackson Vera, expressing relief and calling for continued advocacy for other political prisoners.

Their arrest on August 5, 2022, by state security forces occurred without a formal arrest warrant. Human rights organizations immediately criticized the procedure, labeling it a "baseless setup" lacking legal foundation. Vera and Cariel were initially held at the Sebin headquarters in El Helicoide before their transfer to La Planta on June 3.

Fabiana Vera, Jackson's sister, expressed profound relief but stressed the continued fight for all political prisoners. "Today, finally after almost four years, my brother and Ricardo are free. We must continue for the freedom of all political prisoners," she stated. Jean Carlos Cariel, Ricardo's brother, urged society not to forget political prisoners who died in state custody, stating, "There were comrades who entered walking and left in a box."

There were comrades who entered walking and left in a box. Today, seeing this freedom crystallized, we must also remember and honor those who fell, those who left without being able to see freedom.

— Jean Carlos CarielBrother of Ricardo Cariel, remembering political prisoners who died in custody.

Family members attributed the release to the coordinated efforts of various societal sectors, including Venezuelan citizens, families, media, and activists, who have consistently highlighted these cases nationally and internationally. They pledged to continue advocating until all conscience detainees are freed.

This measure of release obtained this Friday is the direct result of the articulated effort between the different sectors of society that constantly make these cases visible at the national and international level.

— Jean Carlos CarielBrother of Ricardo Cariel, crediting societal efforts for the release.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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