Frewill Rangel is a law student, human rights defender, and political activist affiliated with Voluntad Popular in Lara state. On May 22, 2025, he was arbitrarily detained at his residence by officials of the Strategic and Special Operations Group (GOES). According to his testimony, during the procedure he was subjected to coercive interrogations aimed at obtaining information about political leaders in Lara state. Upon refusing to cooperate, he reported being subjected to acts of torture, including beatings, electric shocks, and mechanical asphyxiation with a plastic bag. According to his account, officials subsequently stole his vehicle and staged actions designed to fabricate a criminal offense, including damaging walls and recording videos that were reportedly shared on digital platforms with the intention of incriminating him. He remained incommunicado for approximately 40 days, without contact with his relatives, under conditions of extreme physical and psychological pressure. He was brought before a court several days after his arrest in a closed-door hearing without access to private counsel, where he was accused of terrorism and incitement to hatred. During the judicial process, he denounced irregularities and pressure to accept a guilty plea. Upon refusing, the continuation of the trial and his ongoing deprivation of liberty were ordered. After being held at the Preventive Center for Safeguard and Guarantees of Detainees of the Lara State Police, Frewill Rangel was released on February 25, 2026, by executive order, following months of detention. His case exemplifies the allegations of criminalization, persecution, and alleged violations of due process against young activists and defenders linked to opposition political organizations in Venezuela.
