The Committee for the Liberation of Political Prisoners in Venezuela (ClippVe) has issued an urgent warning regarding two Portuguese citizens currently detained in the El Rodeo I prison. According to the organization, the men are being held in “horrific and inhumane conditions,” prompting calls for “active and firm diplomatic action” from the international community.
ClippVe spokesperson Andreína Baduel described a harrowing environment inside the facility, noting that the detainees are confined to 2×2 meter cells equipped only with a cement bed and a latrine.
“They face restrictions on food, medication, and hydration, and are not even permitted a single phone call,” Baduel told the Lusa agency during a protest at the Ombudsman’s Office in Caracas.
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The protest aimed to highlight systemic human rights violations, including:
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Retaliation: In April, more than twenty foreign prisoners protested to demand consular visits; authorities allegedly responded with torture.
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Lack of Medical Care: Over 40 political prisoners are reported to be in critical health due to torture sequels and medical neglect.
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Institutional Violence: Families claim they have been “misled and manipulated” by the state regarding a promised Amnesty Law that has failed to result in mass releases.
Baduel emphasized that the Venezuelan government is attempting to project a narrative of peace and reconciliation that contradicts the reality of ongoing abuses. She urged the European Union and countries with citizens imprisoned in Venezuela to form an “international humanitarian coalition” to exert diplomatic pressure.
“The international community must exercise all possible pressure to save the lives of its citizens,” Baduel insisted, citing the case of her own father, a former Defense Minister who died in custody four years ago due to lack of medical attention.
According to the latest data from the organization Justice, Encounter, and Forgiveness, there are currently 667 political prisoners in Venezuela, including a total of five Portuguese nationals.
