The heartbreaking plight of Venezuelan political prisoners has come to national attention following the recent deaths of several detainees linked to post-election protests. Among them is Osgual Alexander González Pérez, 43, who reportedly died from inadequate medical care at the Tocuyito Judicial Internment Center.
González passed away on December 16, 2023, after being arrested on August 1, shortly after Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the disputed July 28 presidential elections. This election sparked nationwide protests, leading to the arrest of over 2,300 individuals demanding justice and transparency from the Maduro regime.
According to reports from the Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) and the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLPP), González had suffered from severe abdominal pain and had previously shown signs of deep depression during his imprisonment. Despite his rapidly deterioring health linked to hepatitis complications, González’s family claimed they received little to no information about his condition.
The inadequate treatment and delay of proper medical attention reflect the dire circumstances facing political prisoners within the Venezuelan justice system. The OVP stated, “The lives of the people in custody are by law the sole responsibility of the Venezuelan State.” This sentiment resonates painfully with the stories of others who have perished under similar circumstances.
Just days prior to González’s death, Jesús Rafael Álvarez, 44, also died after being arrested during the protests. His son, Jesús Álvarez, 22, expressed his anguish, stating, “They punished my father and killed him in prison.” Jesús became aware of his father's death through social media, and upon visiting the morgue was denied the chance to see his father’s body. Instead, he was only shown photographs and personal belongings, which left him devastated, stating his father appeared emaciated and bearing the scars of mistreatment.
The alarm raised around these fatalities is underscored by the similar case of Jesús Manuel Martínez, 36, who died earlier, on November 15, due to complications from diabetes. Although the Public Prosecutor’s Office claimed he received adequate medical care, his family insists otherwise, blaming poor conditions within Puente Ayala prison for his untimely death.
These deaths are emblematic of the broader crisis plaguing Venezuela’s prison system, where political dissenters are often subjected to cruel treatment. International observers have criticized Maduro’s government for its actions, which have led to widespread public discontent and violent responses from security forces, resulting in 27 deaths and nearly 200 injuries among protesters.
Following the protests, the government announced the release of some political prisoners, asserting they freed over 300. Nonetheless, the NGO Foro Penal challenges this figure, claiming the actual count is significantly lower, indicating only 208 have been released. Citing these discrepancies, they report more than 1,900 political detainees remain, surpassing those held in other authoritarian regimes across the hemisphere.
The burgeoning number of political prisoners in Venezuela, particularly after the July demonstrations, highlights the increasing repression under Nicolás Maduro’s regime as dissent continues. Reports indicate actions taken by protestors post-election included the overturning of statues commemorizing revolutionary leaders like Hugo Chávez, symbolizing their discontent.
NGOs calling for accountability stress the need for impartial investigations to address the deaths and poor treatment of prisoners. Each incident reinforces calls for systemic change within Venezuela’s justice system to protect the rights of all citizens, especially those facing persecution for their political beliefs.
Next steps remain unclear, but as families mourn the loss of loved ones amid this climate of fear and repression, the international community watches closely. The situation becomes more dire as voices calling for justice grow louder. The tragedies of González and Álvarez are not just personal losses but also serve as painful reminders of the fragile state of human rights within the country.
