Vigil Held Outside Rodeo I in Tribute to Víctor Quero Navas
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Relatives of political prisoners held a vigil outside the Rodeo I penitentiary to honor Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, who died in state custody.
- The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners demanded justice and called for the release of all political prisoners.
- Quero Navas had been detained since January 2025, and his death was confirmed by the Ministry of Penitentiary Service after months of his mother's search.
A somber vigil was held Thursday night outside the Rodeo I penitentiary, a poignant gathering by relatives of political prisoners to commemorate Víctor Hugo Quero Navas. His death while in state custody has sent shockwaves through the community of victims, friends, and defenders of political prisoners, as articulated by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners. This vigil, the 119th in a series, underscores the ongoing struggle for justice and the deep pain experienced by families seeking answers and accountability from the state.
As an organization made up of victims, friends, and defenders of political prisoners, we are shocked by this news.
Víctor Quero Navas had been detained since January 2025, his arrest reportedly linked to his past military service. His mother, Carmen Navas, endured months of anguish, searching for her son across various detention centers without receiving any response. The official confirmation of his death by the Ministry of the Penitentiary Service only came after persistent pressure from NGOs, political parties, and leaders. The ministry's account of his final days, citing a digestive hemorrhage and subsequent respiratory failure, is being met with intense scrutiny.
Today night, during the 119th vigil at El Rodeo I, the relatives dedicated the gathering to the memory of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas, son of Carmen Teresa Navas, who died at the hands of state custody.
From our vantage point in Venezuela, this tragic event highlights the critical issues surrounding political detention and the state's responsibility towards those in its custody. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners' demand for justice and the immediate release of all political detainees reflects a broader societal concern. The Fiscalía's announcement of a criminal investigation and the order for exhumation signal a step towards transparency, but the path to true accountability remains fraught with challenges. The silence and lack of information that characterized Quero Navas's detention and death are sadly familiar narratives for many families in our country.
The Ministry of the Penitentiary Service specified that Quero entered the El Rodeo I judicial detention center on January 3, 2025.
This vigil is not just a moment of mourning but a powerful act of resistance and a demand for fundamental human rights. It serves as a stark reminder that the fight for justice for political prisoners and their families continues. The international community's attention is crucial, but the most profound impact comes from within, from the unwavering resolve of those who refuse to let these stories be forgotten or silenced. The memory of Víctor Hugo Quero Navas will undoubtedly fuel further efforts to seek truth and justice.
The Fiscalía announced the initiation of a criminal investigation and ordered the immediate exhumation of Quero Navas's remains.
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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