José Rafael Castellanos Guerrero is a Venezuelan political activist and coordinator of Vente Joven in Lara state. He was arbitrarily detained on October 16, 2025, during a police operation carried out at his family residence in western Barquisimeto, where authorities detained him, his mother Blanca Guerrero, and his brother Omario Castellanos, a journalist. According to the family, officials entered the home without presenting a judicial warrant and confiscated personal belongings and work equipment belonging to Omario, including his telephone, camera, and laptop. José Rafael was accused in connection with the so-called “Boicot a la Asamblea” case, allegations that his family and human rights advocates rejected as politically motivated. During his detention, he and his mother were reportedly held incommunicado and faced restrictions on access to legal representation and judicial proceedings. His mother, who suffers from chronic health conditions, also experienced a deterioration of her health while imprisoned due to inadequate medical attention. After several months deprived of liberty, José Rafael was released together with his mother on February 1, 2026, allowing the family to reunite after the earlier release of his brother Omario. His case reflects the use of arbitrary detention against political activists and the targeting of family members as a form of pressure against opponents of the Venezuelan government.
