Families of political prisoners demand freedom in Venezuela

On Monday, family members of political prisoners, human rights defenders and opposition leaders attended a religious ceremony in Caracas to remind people who had died in the custody of the Venezuelan regime and to demand judicial guarantees for those who remain in prison for political reasons.

Commemoration of General Raúl Isaiah Baduel

The mass also served to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of General Raúl Isaiah Baduel, former Minister of Defence, who died on October 12, 2021 while in detention. His daughter, Andreina Baduel, general coordinator of the Committee for the Liberation of Political Prisoners, reported that the circumstances of his death continue to reflect the vulnerability of political detainees in Venezuela.

“It is a day that reminds us of the cruelty, injustice, impunity and barbarism that still continues to be orchestrated from the Venezuelan State to dissidences,” said Andreina Baduel during the activity.

Complaints about the health of detainees

Andreina Baduel warned about the serious health situation of her brother, Yosnar Baduel, who, according to the activist, suffers physical consequences resulting from torture allegedly practised during his imprisonment. “Yosnar today could run the same fate as my dad if he is not given timely care, if he does not receive medical attention. Because it is good to remember that Yosnar, because of the consequences of torture, still needs four operations,” he warned.

The coordinator also noted that 34 political prisoners are in critical health conditions and that lack of timely medical care could lead to deaths. “That is why we need to see, report and document,” he reiterated.

Participation of Freddy Superlano and Roland Carreño

Among the attendees were opposition leader Freddy Superlano and journalist Roland Carreño, both released in 2026 after being arrested for political reasons. Superlano was released in February after more than 18 months in prison and stressed that, although it is positive to meet his loved ones, the measures taken remain insufficient to resolve the situation of political prisoners.

Roland Carreño, released in January after another period of detention, questioned the stay of political prisoners in a country that declares itself democratic, calling it “a stain, a terrible footprint on the body of the Republic.”

Political prisoners in Venezuela

According to the non-governmental organization Forum Penal, 322 political prisoners remain in Venezuela, of whom 182 are civilians and 140 are military. Human rights organizations continue to demand the guarantee of physical integrity for detainees, especially those who suffer from serious diseases or require surgical interventions.

International context

The United States government keeps its attention to the political transition process in Venezuela, including progress in civil liberties, human rights and democratic guarantees. The release of political prisoners is among the issues addressed by Washington in the context of negotiations on the Venezuelan future, together with institutional reforms aimed at enabling free and credible elections.