The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Venezuela, made up of relatives of incarcerated individuals, has warned that in recent days, information has emerged about possible mistreatment and aggression against inmates, for which they have demanded that an exhaustive investigation of what happened be opened. These episodes occur after the double earthquake that has left more than 4,000 dead.
On Friday, the Committee demonstrated in front of the El Rodeo I prison to report that relatives continue to not receive official data on the situation of the inmates, after it became known last Sunday that some prisoners had allegedly suffered cruel and inhuman treatment, beatings, pellet wounds, and attempts at asphyxiation with tear gas.
According to the Committee, during visits made that same Friday, the inmates themselves reported that the aggressors burst into the cells, beat them, and took their correspondence packages.
Fear among the inmates "has increased due to the recent earthquakes" which "compromised the structure of the detention center." "Today (Friday) a strong aftershock was felt at the site, which further raised the alert among inmates and their families," the organization stated.
In addition, several mothers have reported that "other detainees are missing, without any response being provided about their whereabouts."
In parallel, the Committee has highlighted the release of Jackson Vera and Ricardo Carriel, imprisoned since 2022. "Jackson and Ricardo were victims of an arbitrary process lacking evidence. They waited for years for justice that was slow to arrive, but today, finally, they will be able to reunite with their families," the Committee emphasized on social media.