URGENT UPDATE: The capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has escalated calls for the release of over 700 political prisoners, including the brothers of opposition leader Tomas Guanipa. As reports emerge of the horrific conditions in Venezuelan prisons, former inmate Ivan Colmenares Garcia reveals the brutal reality faced by those detained under Maduro’s regime.
In a powerful statement, Garcia, who endured one year of torture and humiliation, stated, “In prison, there are only bad days and worse days.” His harrowing account sheds light on the suffering of countless others still imprisoned. He was subjected to sleep deprivation, confinement in freezing conditions, and overcrowded cells where sanitation was nonexistent.
The urgency for change is palpable as Guanipa demands international intervention. Speaking from Venezuela, he emphasized, “Political prisoners should be the main issue.” His plea comes amid hopes that Maduro’s arrest could lead to a shift in power dynamics in the country. Yet, with former President Donald Trump remaining silent on the plight of these prisoners, concerns grow for their fates.
In an emotional testimony, Garcia detailed his terrifying experience from the moment he was forcibly taken near his home in Arauca, Colombia. He was blindfolded, bound, and subjected to relentless psychological torment. Describing his time in a chilling facility known as the “fish bowl,” he recounted, “I was made to stay there for a month… no shower… just dry arepas to eat.” The inhumane conditions resulted in severe trauma and despair among inmates.
With fears mounting that Maduro’s regime could persist, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado voiced her determination to return to Venezuela and lead a transition to democracy. However, reports indicate that the CIA may favor Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, as a means to maintain stability, raising questions about the future of political freedoms in the region.
“We left great friends in jail,” Garcia lamented, expressing solidarity with those still trapped in the nightmare of Maduro’s prisons. “The only hope we had was for international intervention.” As the world watches, the spotlight is now on the U.S. and its leaders to act decisively for the release of political prisoners.
As families of the detained await news, Congressman Guanipa reiterated the dire situation, stating that both of his brothers are facing severe charges with no communication permitted. “We cannot get any information as to where he is or his condition,” he said, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The international community is called to rally behind the cause for justice and freedom in Venezuela. As the situation develops, the demand for accountability and the release of political prisoners remains critical.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding crisis as the world grapples with the implications of Maduro’s capture and the ongoing fight for human rights in Venezuela.
