Born in 1982

José Javier Tarazona Sánchez is a university professor, human rights defender, and director of the NGO FundaREDES, an organization that documented the presence of irregular armed groups and human rights violations in Venezuela’s border regions. On July 2, 2021, after filing a complaint with the Public Ministry in Coro, Falcón state, regarding harassment by state security agents, he was arbitrarily detained by officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), along with fellow FundaREDES activists Rafael Tarazona and Omar de Dios García. For more than 30 hours, his relatives and lawyers were denied information regarding his whereabouts, constituting a period of enforced disappearance. He was subsequently presented before a court with jurisdiction over terrorism without access to a lawyer of his choice and charged with terrorism, treason, and incitement to hatred. Although the court initially ordered his transfer to another detention center, he remained held in El Helicoide, where he reported being subjected to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Independent investigations documented allegations that he was held in prolonged isolation, deprived of adequate detention conditions, and subjected to physical abuse and coercive acts aimed at obtaining self-incriminating statements. His judicial process was marked by repeated delays and suspensions, with preliminary hearings adjourned on numerous occasions and a trial repeatedly interrupted and restarted without a final verdict being issued. After 1,675 days of detention, Tarazona was released on February 1, 2026, as part of a broader process of releasing political prisoners in Venezuela. Despite his release, national and international organizations continue to maintain that his detention was arbitrary and that those responsible for the violations committed against him have not been held accountable.

Born in 1976

Alcides José Bracho Vivas is a Venezuelan chemistry teacher, visual artist, labor union leader for the Venezuelan Federation of Teachers (FVM), and a member of the opposition political party Bandera Roja. Throughout 2022, he actively supported national demonstrations against the ONAPRE wage directive, which significantly reduced public sector salaries and labor benefits. His participation in peaceful labor protests and his defense of teachers’ rights made him a visible target of state repression. On July 4, 2022, while caring for his children at his home in El Junquito, Caracas, he was arbitrarily detained by heavily armed officials from the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) and the National Bolivarian Police (PNB), who entered his residence without presenting search or arrest warrants. During the operation, his family was threatened, and electronic equipment and personal belongings were seized. Bracho was initially held at the PNB headquarters in La Quebradita, where he remained handcuffed to a metal gate for approximately 48 hours, deprived of adequate food, denied access to sanitary facilities, and subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. He was subsequently transferred to the PNB detention center in Boleíta and held in the cell known as “El Tigrito,” characterized by extreme overcrowding that prevented detainees from lying down, as well as unsanitary conditions. He was later transferred to the La Yaguara detention center, where he remained while facing charges under Venezuelan anti-terrorism legislation. His criminal proceedings were marked by continuous delays, with hearings postponed on multiple occasions, preventing the case from reaching a final verdict. In August 2023, a special court with jurisdiction over terrorism sentenced Bracho and five other labor and political leaders to 16 years in prison—a decision widely condemned by the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Venezuelan human rights organizations as an example of the criminalization of union activity and peaceful dissent. Following sustained national and international pressure, Bracho was released in December 2023 as part of an agreement between the Venezuelan government and the political opposition. Although he regained his freedom, human rights organizations continue to maintain that his detention, prosecution, and imprisonment were arbitrary and that the violations committed against him have not been redressed.

Born in 1984

Jonatan Palacios is an architect, animal rights defender, environmental activist, and founder of the organization FundaBolívar, dedicated to the rescue and protection of abandoned animals. On February 16, 2021, he was arbitrarily detained by officials from the Corps of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations (CICPC) after posting a photograph on social media of Attorney General Tarek William Saab while demanding justice for the death of his relatives and employees, who had been murdered on January 14, 2021. He was subsequently charged with the crime of incitement to hatred and remained in pre-trial detention despite repeated requests for release submitted on his behalf. During his imprisonment at the Western Penitentiary Center II (Santa Ana Prison) in Táchira state, his health deteriorated significantly and, as reported, court orders authorizing specialized medical evaluations were not carried out. In September 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted Precautionary Measure No. 308-23 in his favor after determining that he faced a serious and urgent situation of risk to his life, personal integrity, and health due to the lack of adequate medical care during his detention. His criminal trial was marked by prolonged delays, and his case became an emblematic example of the use of criminal law to punish peaceful expression on social media. After being detained for more than two and a half years, he was released in September 2023, although human rights organizations continued to denounce the arbitrary nature of his detention and prosecution.

Born in 1973

Eduardo José Henríquez Pernía is a retired captain of the National Guard of Venezuela and a lawyer. On January 7, 2020, he was arbitrarily detained outside his residence by alleged officials of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). His family was not informed of his whereabouts for approximately 48 hours, constituting a period of enforced disappearance. He was subsequently presented before a military court and charged with military rebellion, later being prosecuted for treason and incitement to rebellion. During the first months of his detention, he was held at the DGCIM headquarters in Boleíta, where he reported being subjected to severe torture, including physical abuse, sexual violence, prolonged beatings, and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. As a result of this torture, he suffered serious injuries, including a dislocated shoulder and injuries to his head and genitals, for which specialized medical attention was repeatedly denied. In April 2020, he was transferred to the National Center for Military Detainees (CENAPROMIL), located in the Ramo Verde prison, where he remained in prolonged detention and periods of isolation while his judicial process suffered continuous delays. In May 2023, after remaining deprived of liberty for more than three years, he accepted responsibility for the crime of incitement to rebellion through a negotiated procedure and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison—a sentence he had already overserved at the time of his release. After regaining his freedom on May 30, 2023, he reported that he continued to face restrictions because his arrest warrant remained active in the databases of state security agencies, preventing him to live freely despite having completed his sentence.

Born in 1977

Darwin Antonio Solís Benítez is a farmer and former first sergeant of the Venezuelan Army reserve. On August 6, 2017, following the assault on Fort Paramacay in Naguanagua, Carabobo state, he was arbitrarily detained by officials from the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (CONAS) and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). Authorities accused him of participating in the attack and charged him with treason, military rebellion, and theft of military weapons. Following his detention, he was held at the DGCIM headquarters in Boleíta, where he has consistently reported being subjected to severe torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, including repeated beatings, asphyxiation, and coercive acts forcing him to sign documents without allowing him to read their contents. His wife, Silvia Marisol Benítez, has supported the case since the beginning of his detention, publicly denouncing the alleged torture, the conditions of imprisonment, and the repeated judicial delays that have prolonged his deprivation of liberty. He was subsequently transferred to the National Center for Military Detainees (CENAPROMIL) in Ramo Verde prison, where he remained for more than four years, before being transferred to the Rodeo II penitentiary center and later to the “Libertador” New Man Training Center in Carabobo state. Throughout these years, Silvia has continued to demand his freedom and respect for his judicial guarantees, while his criminal trial has been characterized by prolonged pre-trial detention and repeated judicial delays, with hearings suspended and a trial restarted multiple times over several years.

48 years old

Franklin José Brito Rodríguez was a biologist and farmer who became one of the most emblematic victims of political persecution in Venezuela after denouncing the expropriation of his family’s land and demanding the restoration of his property rights. After years of unsuccessful legal efforts, he staged several hunger strikes to protest the actions of the Venezuelan authorities. On December 23, 2009, while conducting a hunger strike outside the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Caracas, he was forcibly removed by state officials and transferred against his will to the “Dr. Carlos Arvelo” Military Hospital. During his internment, he remained under the permanent custody of the State and was subjected to involuntary medical interventions, despite repeatedly expressing his refusal to receive treatment. After more than eight months of hospitalization, Franklin Brito passed away on August 30, 2010, as a result of complications arising from his prolonged hunger strike. His death sparked widespread national and international condemnation, and human rights organizations questioned the legality of his forced hospitalization, the restrictions placed on his personal liberty, and the conduct of the State in his case. More than a decade later, his death continues to symbolize the consequences of persecution against citizens who peacefully challenged state authorities, while no official has been held accountable for the violations related to his detention and death.

Born in 1988

Carlos Germán Debiais García is a photographer and audiovisual creator from Punto Fijo, Falcón state. On November 12, 2021, he was arbitrarily detained by officers of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) and the Industrial Security Directorate (DSI) of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) while photographing and operating a drone near the Amuay Bay viewpoint in the Judibana oil complex on the Paraguaná Peninsula. Authorities accused him of espionage-related offenses after alleging that he had taken images of strategic infrastructure, despite his family maintaining that he was engaged in photography for professional and artistic purposes. Following his arrest, he remained in pretrial detention while his case was handled under national security charges. Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates expressed concern over his prosecution, noting that the criminalization of photographing public spaces and strategic facilities has become part of a broader pattern of restrictions on freedom of expression and the use of national security laws against civilians. His judicial proceedings were marked by prolonged delays, and he remained deprived of liberty for an extended period before his case advanced through the courts.

20 years old

Elvis Adonis Montilla Pérez was a veterinary medicine student at the Francisco de Miranda National Experimental University (UNEFM). During university breaks, he would travel to Barinas to stay with relatives. On May 22, 2017, he participated in a peaceful demonstration on Los Llanos Avenue, near the Palma de Oro residential complex in Barinas. When security forces arrived and gunfire broke out, Elvis attempted to take refuge in the nearby residential complex. Before managing to enter, he was shot in the chest and died from his injuries. Witnesses pointed to an alleged shooter who was a member of the Barinas State Police, while other official and international reports documented that he died from a firearm during the violent repression of the protest. The Public Ministry initiated an investigation into the homicide, but according to his family and human rights organizations, the case has remained virtually stagnant since 2017. His mother, María Antonia Pérez Ruiz, has continued trying to access the investigation file and seeking justice for her son; years later, she denounced that she still had not been provided with a copy of the file or given an effective judicial response. More than eight years after his death, no one has been held accountable, and his case remains emblematic of the impunity surrounding the deaths that occurred during the 2017 protests.

26 years old

Naomi Gabriela Arnaudez Ramos is a Venezuelan lawyer, women’s rights activist, and human rights defender. On the morning of May 23, 2025, unidentified state security agents broke into her home in Caracas and arbitrarily detained her without presenting a warrant. Following her arrest, she was the victim of an enforced disappearance for several days, a period during which her family was unable to obtain official information about her whereabouts or condition. Subsequently, authorities linked her to the so-called “Nodos” case—along with dozens of political leaders, activists, and members of civil society—accusing her of terrorism, criminal association, conspiracy with a foreign government, and treason. Her family, legal representatives, and various human rights organizations rejected the charges, arguing that they criminalized her legitimate work in defense of civil and political rights. Naomi remained deprived of liberty for more than 300 days before being released in February 2026. Throughout her detention, national and international organizations demanded respect for her due process guarantees and her immediate release. Although she regained her physical freedom, her case remains emblematic of the use of arbitrary detentions and politically motivated criminal proceedings against human rights defenders and civil society activists in Venezuela.

25 years old

Kennedy Fernando Tejeda Jiménez is a Venezuelan lawyer and human rights defender who was arbitrarily detained on August 2, 2024, while attempting to provide legal assistance to individuals arrested following the post-electoral protests in Venezuela. After receiving reports of arbitrary detentions in Bejuma, Carabobo state, he went to the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) command in Montalbán to obtain information about the detainees and the dates of their judicial hearings. Instead of being allowed to carry out his professional work, he was arrested by security officials who reportedly accused him of being a “defender of guarimberos” and treated him as an alleged accomplice of the detainees. He was held for approximately a month in Valencia before being transferred to Tocorón prison, where he remained deprived of liberty for several months. Human rights organizations denounced his detention as retaliation for the legitimate exercise of his profession and his work in defense of fundamental rights. After nearly ten months of imprisonment, he was released under precautionary measures, although the criminal proceedings against him continued. His case has become a symbol of the criminalization of lawyers and human rights defenders who sought to assist victims of arbitrary detentions during the post-electoral repression in Venezuela.

Manuel Edelio Mora Hernández was arbitrarily detained for political reasons and subjected to enforced disappearance, torture, and prolonged deprivation of liberty. Following his arrest, his whereabouts were unknown for 22 days, a period during which his family was unable to obtain information about his condition or location. During his detention, he reported suffering physical and psychological torture, while his relatives were threatened and subjected to intimidation. He remained imprisoned for approximately eleven months under a judicial process that his family and human rights organizations have described as arbitrary. After spending more than five months at the PNB detention center in Zona 7, Caracas, without being promptly presented before a competent court, Manuel was transferred to Valencia, in Carabobo state, and his whereabouts became unknown once again for a period of time. Human rights organizations denounced the transfer as a new episode of enforced disappearance and warned about the deterioration of his health, reporting that he was held in underground cells under inhumane conditions and without adequate medical care, despite suffering from respiratory problems, chronic illnesses, and severe chest pains. Although he was subsequently released, he remains subject to restrictive judicial measures, including the obligation to report periodically to the courts in Caracas, while continuing to fear for his safety and that of his family. His case reflects the use of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and prolonged judicial restrictions against individuals perceived as political opponents in Venezuela.

Juan Freites served as head of the “Con Venezuela” campaign in La Guaira (formerly Vargas) during the 2024 presidential elections. On January 23, 2024, he was arbitrarily detained at his home by State security agents, without a warrant, as part of a national operation targeting members of the opposition campaign. Following his arrest, his family was unable to determine his whereabouts for approximately a month, a period during which he remained in a situation of enforced disappearance. Subsequently, authorities accused him of participating in the so-called “White Bracelet” case—charges that his relatives, legal representatives, and human rights organizations have systematically rejected as politically motivated. Juan remained imprisoned for more than two years in El Helicoide, where he suffered prolonged deprivation of liberty while his family publicly campaigned for his release. During his detention, his mother returned to Venezuela to support him, while his sisters—particularly Melanie Freites—collaborated with human rights organizations and the “Con Venezuela” campaign to denounce his case and advocate for the freedom of all political prisoners. On February 22, 2026, he was released under the Amnesty Law. His case has become a symbol of the criminalization of political participation and opposition campaign workers in Venezuela.

Lourdes Coromoto Villarreal García is a Venezuelan teacher, labor union leader, and human rights activist. On the morning of May 22, 2025, as she was leaving her home in the La Pastora parish of Caracas with her daughter, she was intercepted by unidentified men who forced her into a vehicle and took her away without identifying themselves or presenting a warrant. Her family was left without information regarding her whereabouts, prompting human rights organizations to denounce her case as an enforced disappearance. Prior to her detention, Lourdes had publicly defended the labor rights of teachers, demanded better working conditions and salaries, and participated in campaigns calling for the release of political prisoners. She had also supported calls made by sectors of the democratic opposition ahead of the May 2025 elections. Human rights organizations denounced her detention as politically motivated and demanded her immediate release, emphasizing that her activism and the exercise of her fundamental freedoms should never have been criminalized. Following months of arbitrary detention, Lourdes was released, but her case remains emblematic of the persecution against teachers, union leaders, and civil society activists in Venezuela.

Edward Alirio Ocariz Medina is a Venezuelan community leader and political activist who was arbitrarily detained on August 2, 2024, during the wave of repression that followed Venezuela’s presidential elections. State security agents broke into his home without presenting a warrant and detained him in front of his family. Following his arrest, his relatives were unaware of his whereabouts for several hours, raising fears of an enforced disappearance. He was brought before a court only after the legal deadlines established by Venezuelan law had expired, and according to his relatives and legal representatives, he was denied the opportunity to appoint a private lawyer or access the case file. During his imprisonment, he reported being subjected to psychological abuse and held in conditions that deprived him of adequate medical care, drinking water, sanitation, and sufficient food. Human rights organizations denounced the lack of due process and maintained that the charges against him lacked factual and legal foundation. After several months of detention, Edward was released under restrictive judicial measures; however, his case remains emblematic of arbitrary detention and the criminalization of citizens in the wake of the 2024 post-electoral protests.

19 years old

Jeancarlos Rivas is a young political leader and Venezuelan activist, and a member of Voluntad Popular in La Guaira state. On June 14, 2024, at the age of 19, he was arbitrarily detained by security officials inside his residence in La Guaira state, following his participation in political activities promoting voting ahead of the July 28, 2024 presidential elections. He was subsequently accused of the crimes of instigation to hatred and criminal association, allegations that his family, representatives, and human rights organizations rejected, considering them a criminalization of his political and youth participation. During his imprisonment, he remained deprived of liberty in El Helicoide, the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) in Caracas. National and international organizations denounced his case as part of a policy of persecution against young activists, human rights defenders, and members of opposition organizations. After remaining detained for approximately 20 months, Jeancarlos was released in February 2026, reuniting with his family following a process marked by allegations of arbitrariness and violations of due process.

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.

30 years old

Argenis Enrique Ugueto Benítez is a Venezuelan merchant and political activist who was arbitrarily detained on December 27, 2020, after voluntarily turning himself in to State security authorities a day after officials from the Special Actions Forces (FAES) and the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) raided his home without a search warrant. During the operation, security personnel searched his residence, seized personal belongings, and temporarily detained his wife in order to force him to surrender. He was subsequently prosecuted under the case known as “Operación Boicot a la Asamblea” (Operation Boycott of the Assembly) and charged with treason, criminal association, and attempted aggravated homicide, in connection with an alleged conspiracy to prevent the installation of the National Assembly in January 2021. Human rights organizations categorized his detention as arbitrary and denounced severe violations of due process throughout the judicial proceedings. After remaining imprisoned for more than five years—including periods at the National Bolivarian Police (PNB) Zona 7 detention center—Argenis was sentenced to 30 years in prison, before finally being released on February 8, 2026. His case illustrates the prolonged use of arbitrary detention and politically motivated criminal proceedings against individuals perceived as opponents of the government in Venezuela.

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.

Blanca Elena del Valle Guerrero is a Venezuelan mother and citizen who was arbitrarily detained alongside her two sons, José Rafael Castellanos Guerrero, a political leader of Vente Joven in Lara state, and Omario Castellanos, a journalist and Social Communication student. On October 16, 2025, security officials broke into their family residence in Barquisimeto, Lara state, without presenting a search warrant, causing material damage to the home and confiscating personal property, money, and work tools belonging to her sons. Following their arrest, Blanca and her sons were transferred to separate detention centers. Blanca was held at the center known as La Crisálida, while her sons were sent to other penitentiary facilities. For approximately four months, she remained without sufficient information regarding her sons’ condition, causing deep emotional distress and anxiety. During her deprivation of liberty, she reported inadequate detention conditions, including a lack of medical care, deficient food, and having to sleep on the floor for over a month. Although she did not report physical torture, Blanca noted that the separation from her children and the conditions of detention constituted significant psychological suffering. After months deprived of liberty, she was released on February 1, 2026, alongside her son José Rafael Castellanos, while her other son, Omario Castellanos, had been previously released on January 14, 2026. Her case reflects the impact of political persecution not only on activists and leaders, but also on their family members, who have been targeted in procedures denounced as arbitrary.

Yandir Guanergel Loggiodice Ayala is a civil engineer and Venezuelan political leader affiliated with democratic opposition sectors. Following a period in hiding due to political persecution, he was arbitrarily detained on July 14, 2025, in Bolívar state by officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). According to public reports and testimonies from his family, around 30 agents forced their way into his residence, causing material damage and assaulting family members. Prior to his arrest, Yandir had publicly denounced the persecution against him, holding the Venezuelan state responsible for any harm to himself or his family and reaffirming his commitment to the democratic struggle and his support for opposition leader María Corina Machado. His detention was widely denounced by human rights organizations and political allies as part of a systematic pattern of criminalizing political dissent in Venezuela. Following months of imprisonment characterized by isolation and severe concerns regarding his health—specifically related to a congenital condition requiring medical intervention—he has since been released, continuing to advocate for human rights and the freedom of remaining political prisoners in the country.

47 años

Daniel Enrique Echenagucia Vallenilla is a 47-year-old Venezuelan-Italian businessman who was arbitrarily detained on August 2, 2024, by Bolivarian National Guard officials at a checkpoint in Valencia, Carabobo state, without a warrant being presented. According to the testimony of his wife, Marien Padilla, following his arrest he was subjected to a short-term enforced disappearance, remaining for several hours without his relatives knowing his whereabouts. That same day, DGCIM agents raided his home without a search warrant and confiscated documents and electronic equipment. He was subsequently transferred to the Rodeo I detention center, where he remains deprived of liberty. Human rights organizations have documented that his process has been marked by judicial delays, restrictions on communication with his family, reports of isolation, deterioration of his health, and the alleged existence of a release order (boleta de excarcelación) that has not been executed. In June 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures in his favor, considering that his rights to life, personal integrity, and health face a grave and irreparable risk, and further requesting that the Venezuelan State clarify the reasons why he remains deprived of liberty.

30 years old

Henryberth Emmanuel Rivas Vivas was arrested on September 5, 2018, in the context of the investigation into the alleged drone attack against Nicolás Maduro. According to the testimony of his sister, Hiowanka Danahi Ávila Rivas, he has been deprived of liberty for nearly seven years and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without sufficient evidence. She also denounced that he was tortured from the moment of his arrest and continues to be a victim of torture and ill-treatment during his imprisonment. He has been held in El Helicoide, the headquarters of SEBIN, and later at the Rodeo I Penitentiary Center. Various national and international organizations have documented serious irregularities in the so-called “drone case,” including reports of short-term enforced disappearances, confessions allegedly obtained under coercion, procedural delays, allegations of torture, and sentences of up to 30 years in prison against several of the accused.

22 years old

José Ángel Barreno Cordones was 22 years old when he was arrested on May 10, 2020. He is a lieutenant in the Venezuelan Army who was deprived of his liberty for his alleged participation in the so-called “Operación Gedeón” (Operation Gideon). According to his mother, Massiel Cordones, at the time of his arrest José Ángel was not wearing a military uniform or carrying weapons, and he was accused of attempting to execute a purported uprising against the Venezuelan government. Following his arrest, he remained disappeared for several months, causing deep concern among his relatives. He was subsequently held in detention centers such as El Helicoide and El Rodeo I Penitentiary Center, where, according to testimonies transmitted by his mother, he was reportedly subjected to torture, beatings, isolation, and cruel and inhuman treatment. Massiel Cordones has denounced that her son recounted suffering severe abuses during his deprivation of liberty and has demanded answers regarding his conditions of detention and respect for his fundamental rights. Since her son’s arrest, Massiel has led a constant struggle for his freedom and for the release of other Venezuelan political prisoners, publicly denouncing irregularities in the judicial process, the lack of due process, and the conditions of the prisons where detainees are held. For years she has accompanied José Ángel through his ordeal, traveling regularly to visit him and demanding information about his situation. More recently, she has joined other family members of political prisoners in vigils and encampments outside El Rodeo I, demanding justice and freedom for all those detained for political reasons. Years after his arrest, Massiel continues to denounce that her son and other political prisoners remain deprived of liberty in processes she considers unjust, while demanding judicial guarantees, reparation, and accountability for the violations committed.

61 years old

Nélida Sánchez, a 61-year-old educator, human rights defender, and National Training Coordinator for the organization Súmate, was arbitrarily detained on August 26, 2024, by SEBIN officials in Los Teques, Miranda state. According to the testimony of her daughter, Daneli Gabriela Hernández Sánchez, the arrest was preceded by an operation in which a relative was detained and forced to falsely inform Nélida that they were hospitalized, luring her to the Victorino Santaella Hospital, where she was arrested alongside her mother by at least eight agents. She remained in enforced disappearance for over 72 hours at the SEBIN headquarters in Los Teques before being transferred to El Helicoide on August 28, 2024, where she faced charges of criminal association, incitement to hatred, treason, terrorism, and conspiracy. Her daughter also denounced that during her imprisonment, SEBIN officials threatened Nélida with reprisals against her, even claiming to know her residence in Argentina. National and international organizations pointed out that Sánchez’s detention was tied to her work training thousands of electoral witnesses for the 2024 presidential elections and denounced severe due process violations, including short-term enforced disappearance and the criminalization of political rights defense. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures in her favor in September 2024 due to the grave risk to her rights, and in February 2026 she was released after approximately 18 months of detention, although her criminal proceedings remained open.

Jackson Andrés Vera, a degree holder in Administration, student leader graduated from the University of Los Andes (ULA), and political activist, was arbitrarily detained on August 5, 2022, in Táchira state without a warrant. According to the testimony of his sister, Fabiana Vera, he remained forcibly disappeared for four days before authorities confirmed his whereabouts and he was subsequently held in El Helicoide, where he remained for nearly four years. During his detention, he denounced prolonged procedural delays, the complete lack of evidence supporting the accusations against him, and a severe deterioration in his health, including respiratory problems for which he did not receive specialized medical care despite repeated requests from his family. Human rights organizations classified his case, along with that of Ricardo Cariel, as a judicial setup and documented widespread due process violations. On June 3, 2026, he was transferred to La Planta detention center and subsequently released, following nearly four years of arbitrary deprivation of liberty. His family has reiterated that his release does not put an end to the violations suffered and continues to demand justice and the freedom of all remaining individuals detained for political reasons in Venezuela.

Jecson Ricardo Cariel García was arbitrarily detained on August 5, 2022, in San Cristóbal, Táchira state, without a warrant. According to the testimony of his brother, Jean Carlos Cariel García, during the procedure security officials planted a small amount of explosive material on him to falsely link him to terrorism offenses. Since then, he was held in El Helicoide, where he remained for nearly four years while facing a judicial process characterized by repeated delays and the absence of evidence to support the accusations against him. Various national and international organizations classified the case as a judicial setup, denouncing violations of due process and the use of the penal system to arbitrarily criminalize the accused. On June 3, 2026, he was transferred to La Planta detention center and subsequently released, along with Jackson Vera, after nearly four years of arbitrary detention. His family members have noted that his release was the result of persistent advocacy by relatives, human rights organizations, lawyers, and the media, while continuing to demand the freedom of all others detained for political reasons in Venezuela.

42 years old

Ebro Leonardo Delgado Briceño is a 42-year-old retired captain of the Bolivarian National Armed Force and former Security Manager at the Cardón Refinery (CRP-PDVSA) who was arbitrarily detained on July 28, 2022, by SEBIN officials as he left his workplace, without a warrant. According to the testimony of his wife, Maryoling Carolina González Morales, the arrest was based solely on a message published by a third party on the social network Twitter that mentioned him without providing evidence of his participation in any criminal acts. Simultaneously, SEBIN agents raided his home without a judicial order, intimidating his minor children and elderly relatives. Following his arrest, he suffered a forced disappearance for approximately 50 days, during which his family searched various detention centers without receiving information about his whereabouts. It was later revealed that he had been held in extreme isolation in a windowless cell under unsanitary conditions, resulting in significant weight loss. He was prosecuted for terrorism, conspiracy, and criminal association, despite his defense denouncing a lack of material evidence and multiple procedural irregularities, including repeated delays, the interruption of the trial, and the imposition of a 30-year prison sentence on April 15, 2024. From April 4, 2024, onward, he was held at the Rodeo I prison, where his family reported isolation conditions, severe visit restrictions, and the inability to say goodbye to his mother before her passing in December 2024. In July 2026, he was released after nearly four years of arbitrary detention, though human rights organizations noted that his release does not imply recognition of the severe due process violations suffered during his imprisonment.

17 years old

Carlos Daniel Fernández Hernández was 17 years old at the time of his arrest, serving as a first-year cadet of the Leander Battalion at the Military Academy of the Army when he was arbitrarily detained on February 6, 2025 (though some sources indicate February 7, 2025) by officials of the Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). According to the account of his mother, Ana Luisa Hernández Tillero, he was forcibly removed from the Military Academy along with other cadets and remained in a state of enforced disappearance for approximately eleven months, during which time his family did not know his whereabouts and was unable to communicate with him. He was initially held at the DGCIM headquarters in Boleíta and was subsequently transferred to the Rodeo I Judicial Penitentiary. His mother denounced that, during his detention, Carlos was beaten and tortured to force him to incriminate others, suffering spinal injuries as a result of the mistreatment. Despite being a minor at the time of the events, he was charged with terrorism and treason, brought before a court solely via telematics, and kept deprived of liberty without a trial ever taking place. Organizations and media outlets have pointed out that his case is part of the mass arrest of cadets linked without evidence to an alleged conspiracy against the Venezuelan government, denouncing severe violations of due process, special protection guarantees for children and adolescents, and the prohibition of enforced disappearance.

Lieutenant Colonel Igbert José Marín Chaparro, an officer of the Bolivarian National Armed Force, was arbitrarily detained on March 2, 2018, at his workplace, the “Juan Pablo Ayala” Motorized Cavalry Group, without a warrant. According to the testimony of his sister, Ignell Marín Chaparro, he remained forcibly disappeared for seven days before being brought before a court on March 9, 2018. He was subsequently sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for the crime of instigation to rebellion, in a process that his family and various human rights organizations consider devoid of evidence and plagued by violations of due process. During his imprisonment in DGCIM facilities and, since February 19, 2024, at Rodeo I, he has reported being a victim of torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, isolation, restrictions on medical care, and other severe violations of his rights, even staging hunger strikes to demand dignified conditions of detention. Although he fully completed his sentence on September 9, 2025, his release order (boleta de excarcelación) was not executed and he remains deprived of liberty under a new criminal proceeding, a situation that has been denounced as an arbitrary prolongation of his imprisonment. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has granted two precautionary measures in his favor, without the Venezuelan State having effectively complied with them.

Gustavo Adolfo Hernández Barranco was arbitrarily detained on May 3, 2020, in the context of the so-called Operation Gideon (Operación Gedeón) and was held in El Helicoide until August 2, 2025, when he was transferred without prior notice along with other detainees. According to the testimony of his niece, Jessica Fernanda Castro Hernández, following that transfer, he remained in a state of enforced disappearance for over six months, until his family obtained a first proof of life on February 12, 2026, confirming that he was being held at the Fuerte Guaicaipuro National Center for Military Detainees (Centro Nacional de Procesados Militares del Fuerte Guaicaipuro). His relatives have denounced that during this period the detainees were subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, including being fed only two or three times a week, deprivation of hygiene for months, being forced to remain naked for prolonged periods, exposure to extreme temperatures, and humiliating acts such as being forced to place their hands in their own feces before eating. Likewise, they noted that Gustavo, who suffers from hypertension and gastrointestinal problems, experienced a severe deterioration in his health due to these prison conditions. Human rights organizations have documented that the detainees from the Gideon case were kept isolated and incommunicado for months at Fuerte Guaicaipuro, exhibiting signs of severe malnutrition, weight loss, and physical and psychological trauma consistent with allegations of torture and abuse.

43 years old

Rory Daniel Branker is a 43-year-old journalist with the digital media outlet La Patilla who was arbitrarily detained on February 20, 2025, by officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) while with his partner in Caracas. According to the testimony of his partner, María Gabriela Lara González, following his arrest, their home was searched without a search warrant, and electronic equipment was seized. From that moment, he remained in a state of enforced disappearance for several months, while his relatives searched various detention centers without receiving official information about his whereabouts. He was subsequently transferred through facilities including DIP Maripérez, Zona 7, the PNB police station in San Agustín, and finally to the Tocorón Penitentiary Center, where he remained deprived of liberty until his release on February 4, 2026. During his imprisonment, he was granted precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) due to the grave risk to his life and personal integrity. Although he recovered his freedom, he remains subject to periodic court reporting requirements and other judicial restrictions after authorities rejected his request for amnesty without public justification. International press freedom organizations have denounced his case as an example of criminal persecution against independent journalists in Venezuela and have demanded the definitive dismissal of all charges against him.

66 years old

José Alberto “Mazuco” Sánchez Montiel is a 66-year-old former member of the National Assembly and former police commissioner of Zulia State who was arbitrarily detained for a second time on September 30, 2024, when men dressed in black—allegedly belonging to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)—intercepted him in Maracaibo without presenting an arrest warrant. According to the testimony of his assistant, Rossaly Nava, he remained in a state of enforced disappearance for approximately a month, during which his relatives had no knowledge of his whereabouts or health status. He was subsequently held at the Rodeo I Penitentiary Center, where he remained deprived of liberty despite suffering from cancer, hypertension, severe migraines, and the aftereffects of previous abdominal surgery—conditions that, according to his family, worsened due to a lack of adequate medical care during his imprisonment. Human rights organizations denounced that his new arrest lacked legal grounds and was part of a pattern of persecution against opposition leaders. In July 2026, he was released after nearly two years of arbitrary detention, although his relatives noted that he regained his freedom with a considerably deteriorated state of health and continue to demand justice for the human rights violations suffered during his detention.

28 years old

Yoiner had a special condition due to having suffered from infantile cerebral palsy. He could not speak, but he participated in social demonstrations nonetheless. On April 10, 2017, while protesting, he was wounded by colectivos with a gunshot to his right ribcage. He was left paralyzed and with a colostomy. For 54 days, he suffered through the precarious conditions of the Venezuelan healthcare system until June 3, 2017, when he passed away due to a lack of medicine and septic instability. After four (4) years, the case is still in the investigation stage, and for this reason, there are no expectations of finding justice within the Venezuelan internal system.

19 years old

Student in the 4th and 5th year of educación parasistema (alternative adult education) murdered by colectivos on May 22, 2017, during a protest in Barinas state. The case is in the investigation stage, and the authorities provide no account of the case file, which has been missing since 2018. For this reason, there are few expectations of finding justice within the Venezuelan internal system.

18 years old

Student murdered during a protest in Palmira, Táchira state, on May 15, 2017, by officers of the Policía Nacional Bolivariana. Luis received a gunshot wound to the chest that caused his death by hypovolemic shock. Former officer Wilfredo Casanova was sentenced to five (5) years in prison. However, this sentence does not reflect the nature or the gravity of the crime. Therefore, his family appealed the court’s decision and continues their search for justice.

17 years old

Second-semester Advertising and Marketing student at IUTAR, murdered during a protest at the Altamira distributor, Caracas, on June 19, 2017, by an officer of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana. On December 17, 2020, the 19th Trial Court sentenced the officer to 12 years and 10 months in prison. This sentence does not align with the crimes cited in the indictment; therefore, his parents are currently appealing the court’s decision.

22 years old

Medical student murdered on May 24, 2017, by a gunshot wound to the head while he and other students were taking shelter at the Ciudad Bolívar campus of the Universidad de Oriente (UDO) after participating in a social demonstration. Members of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB) and the Policía del Estado Bolívar violated university autonomy, and during the repression, Augusto was murdered. Although some individuals have been charged with his murder, Augusto’s case faces procedural delays, and there are few expectations of finding justice

22 years old

Nursing student murdered on June 22, 2017, during a protest on the Francisco Fajardo highway in the Distrito Capital. David was in front of the La Carlota military airbase when an officer of the Fuerzas Armadas shot him in the chest. He died from hypovolemic shock due to internal hemorrhaging caused by the perforation of his heart, liver, and lung. His case is currently awaiting trial, with no tangible hopes for justice.

33 years old

A young man who worked as a salesman, murdered on May 25, 2017, while participating in a social protest in Barquisimeto, Lara state. Members of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana caused a projectile wound in his infraclavicular region that led to his death. First Lieutenant of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana, Johnnuar José Pastor Arenas, was identified, and four (4) years later, no court has executed his arrest warrant. For this reason, there are few expectations of finding justice within the Venezuelan internal system.

17 years old

A young student who died from a chest impact on June 7, 2017, while members of the Policía Nacional Bolivariana were repressing a social demonstration on Avenida Francisco de Miranda in the Chacao municipality, Miranda state. His case is currently in the investigation stage.

56 years old

Retired Physical Education teacher. International judge and member of the Federación Venezolana de Canotaje (FVC), murdered on July 11, 2017, during a social protest in the Villa Colonial neighborhood in El Tocuyo, Lara state, when an officer of the Policía de Lara shot her in the head. Currently, there is one person charged; however, they are under house arrest and awaiting trial.

22 years old

Law student at Universidad Fermín Toro and agricultural worker. He was murdered by members of the Fuerzas Armadas on June 16, 2017, during a protest on Avenida Hernán Garmendia, Barquisimeto, Lara state. Currently, the case is in the investigation stage; however, the Fuerzas Armadas entities are failing to cooperate with the justice system by withholding requested information. His family continues to seek justice and demands that the case file be transferred to the Sección de Derechos Fundamentales of the Fiscalía, as it is currently assigned to the Sección de Delitos Comunes.

24 years old

A cameraman’s assistant and father, murdered on June 28, 2017, by an officer of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana during a protest in Barquisimeto, Lara state. The case is currently in the investigation stage, where the GNB continues to withhold requested information. The latest communication received by his relatives indicates an intent to close the case. For these reasons, there are few expectations of finding justice within the Venezuelan internal system.

18 years old
Low-income student extrajudicially executed on January 25, 2019, in the hamlet of El Bosque, El Tocuyo, Lara State, by FAES officials. It is presumed he was executed after being accused of participating in a protest in front of the residence of Mayor Gisela Rodríguez. Members of the Special Action Forces detained him, and he was later found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. No FAES officers have been arrested or charged, and his family has been denied copies of his case file.

16 years old

A high school senior murdered by an officer of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana during a protest in La Isabelica, Valencia, Carabobo state, on July 10, 2017—the very day of his graduation. He wanted to study philosophy and become a pilot. His case is currently in the investigation stage by the Ministerio Público. His relatives regularly travel to Caracas to demand justice and progress in the investigation. To date, his case remains without real expectations of justice within the Venezuelan internal system.

19 years old

A young Foreign Trade student murdered during a protest in Barquisimeto, Lara state, on August 7, 2017, by officers of the Comando Nacional Antiextorsión y Secuestro (CONAS) of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana. Eduardo received two gunshot wounds to one of his legs; while he was on the ground, the officers approached him and shot him in the head. Subsequently, the officers placed a weapon in his hand and fired several shots with the intent of accusing him of terrorism. His case is currently in the investigation stage.

29 years old

An automotive mechanic arbitrarily detained on March 18, 2020, while leaving a pharmacy located in the El Hatillo municipality, Miranda state. He was missing for 10 days, and when his relatives were finally able to see him, he showed signs of physical and psychological torture. He was held at the DGCIM’s “Casa de los Sueños” (House of Dreams) center until his transfer to the Ramo Verde prison. He was brought before the Tribunal 2do de Terrorismo (2nd Terrorism Court) on February 25, 2021, and to date, he is awaiting trial. He is accused of conspiracy and criminal association.

30 years ols

A worker extrajudicially executed on January 24, 2019, by officers of the FAES in the Calicanto neighborhood, Carora, Lara state. Days earlier, he had been protesting the lack of water supply in the area and had been accused of being a “guarimbero” by representatives of the local consejo comunal. To date, there are no detainees or charged officers from the FAES. His relatives believe there is no possibility of finding justice within the Venezuelan judicial system.

28 years old

First Lieutenant of the Army who had taken up residence in Bogotá, Colombia. In that country, he was captured on February 11, 2019, by members of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), transferred to Venezuela, and handed over to the Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM). Since then, he has been imprisoned in the Ramo Verde prison and is subjected to torture by DGCIM officers.

28 years old

A final-semester Engineering student arbitrarily detained on September 9, 2020, accused of being involved with a U.S. citizen allegedly implicated in espionage operations within Venezuelan territory. He was sent to Ramo Verde, where he was subjected to torture and other cruel treatments. In late 2021, he was transferred to El Rodeo II. To date, his court hearings have been repeatedly deferred.

28 years old

The primary provider for his family and father of two young girls, extrajudicially executed on April 8, 2019, by officers of the FAES in the Zajón Barrera sector, Barquisimeto, Lara state. Luis Alejandro was an active participant in protests. On the morning of his death, FAES officers were in the area interrogating residents to locate his home. In the afternoon, they arrived at his residence, took him outside, and shot him. His relatives allege that his case remains in total impunity, and for this reason, they do not see any possibility of finding justice within the Venezuelan judicial system