President Nicolas Maduro must immediately and unconditionally release these 6 men and women who remain unfairly detained in Venezuela.
What’s the problem?
These 6 men and women show the extent and range of the Venezuelan government’s policy of repression. From teachers and tradespeople to human rights defenders; anyone can be a victim of politically motivated arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance and seeing their life plans destroyed. They all must be immediately and unconditionally released.
This campaign began calling for the release of 10 people. Thanks to public pressure, journalist and political activist, Roland Carreño, was released in October. In December, authorities also released a young musician, John Alvarez, humanitarian worker, Gabriel Blanco, and former-unionist, Guillermo Zarraga. This pressure must continue until all those unfairly detained for political reasons are freed.
In the last decade, Amnesty International has documented the use of arbitrary detentions for political reasons as part of a policy of repression implemented by the government of Nicolás Maduro. These detentions have been part of a generalized and systematic attack against the population in Venezuela and therefore could constitute crimes against humanity.
These individuals’ lives were detained when they were unfairly arrested, including their plans to start a family, support their communities or contribute to the livelihoods of their loved ones. They are:
- Emirlendris Benítez, a tradeswoman and mother, arrested in August in 2018
- María Auxiliadora Delgado and Juan Carlos Marrufo, a married couple, arrested in March 2019
- Darío Estrada, a father and neurodiverse person, arrested in December 2020
- Robert Franco, a teacher and trade unionist, arrested in December 2020
- Javier Tarazona, a human rights defender and brother, arrested July in 2021
We demand their immediate and unconditional release.
What can you do to help?
Dozens of individuals detained for political reasons in Venezuela have been released after Amnesty International supporters took action. Sign this petition. Call on Nicolas Maduro to immediately and unconditionally release these men and women.