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Venezuelan Activists Urge U.S. Intervention to Prevent Deaths of Political Prisoners' Relatives
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Venezuelan Activists Urge U.S. Intervention to Prevent Deaths of Political Prisoners' Relatives

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Venezuelan activists urged the U.S. to intervene to prevent further deaths of relatives of political prisoners.
  • The plea follows the death of Carmen Navas, mother of inmate Víctor Quero, who died in state custody.
  • Activists demand "concrete, effective, and urgent" government action to ensure no more mothers die waiting for justice.

A group of Venezuelan activists has appealed to the United States government to mediate in preventing the deaths of relatives of political prisoners. This call comes a month after the passing of Carmen Navas, the mother of Víctor Quero, who died while in state custody. The activists fear more such tragedies if no action is taken.

"We do not want another mother to die looking for or waiting for her son. We ask the diplomatic representatives to please be mediators to release all political prisoners," stated Francis Quiñones, mother of Sergeant Jonathan Franco Quiñones, near the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. The group also demanded that the government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, take "concrete, effective, and urgent" measures to ensure that "no mother or grandmother dies waiting for justice."

During the demonstration, activists displayed banners, posters, and photographs of political prisoners, along with a rosary made of balloons. Many signs called for the freedom of Venezuela and its political prisoners, numbering 389 according to the NGO Foro Penal. The government, however, maintains that these individuals are not detained for political reasons but have committed crimes.

The protest concluded with participants approaching the U.S. Embassy entrance in Caracas, where they held candles and offered prayers. Carmen Navas had become a symbol of resistance for the families of political prisoners after her death in May. Her passing occurred days after authorities confirmed the death of her son, Víctor Quero, ten months prior while in state custody. Navas had repeatedly sought information about her son but received none until after his death was confirmed.

The Ministry of Penitentiary Service reported that Víctor Quero was held at El Rodeo I prison and was transferred to a hospital presenting severe symptoms before his death. The Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation, concluding that his death was due to a pulmonary embolism without evidence of traumatic injuries. However, the NGO Foro Penal insists on an independent investigation with international assistance.

We do not want another mother to die looking for or waiting for her son. We ask the diplomatic representatives to please be mediators to release all political prisoners.

— Francis QuiñonesAppealing to the U.S. government for intervention to secure the release of political prisoners and prevent further family tragedies.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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