Political prisoners in Venezuela
Issued on March 27, 2005
Last Update: May 1, 2005
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No. |
PRISON |
NAME |
Position |
WHEN ARRESTED |
CHARGES |
COMMENTS |
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1 |
Santa Ana Táchira State |
Former president of the Student’s Union (UNET), and COPEI students’ representative |
June 11, 2003 |
Cooperation and complicity to rebellion for the events outside the governor’s palace on April 12, 2002. Sentenced to 6 years. |
Has been detained in Santa Ana since his arrest. Santa Ana is a penitentiary. |
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2 |
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AD leader and Education Union representative |
June 11, 2003 |
Cooperation and complicity to rebellion. for the events outside the governor’s palace on April 12, 2002. Sentenced to 6 years.
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Has been detained in Santa Ana since his arrest. Santa Ana is a penitentiary |
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3 |
Hospital Central San Cristóbal Táchira State |
AD leader and president of Fetratáchira (teachers’ union) |
June 11, 2003
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Cooperation and complicity to rebellion for the events outside the governor’s palace on April 12, 2002. Sentenced to 6 years. |
Has been repeatedly denied permission to undergo much needed surgery; remains handcuffed to bed rails. |
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4 |
CICPC Parque Carabobo Caracas |
Henry Vivas Hernández |
Former Metropolitan Police Chief and Security Police Commissioner |
December 3, 2004 |
Conspiracy to commit homicide, intentional homicide, and infliction of serious injuries during April 11, 2002 events. |
Denied asylum in El Salvador. Denied bail despite being granted to 3 shooters charged with similar charges alleging crimes against humanity |
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5 |
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Former Metropolitan Police Chief |
December 3, 2004 |
Conspiracy to commit homicide, intentional homicide, and infliction of serious injuries during April 11, 2002 events. |
Denied asylum. Denied bail despite being granted to 3 shooters charged with similar charges alleging crimes against humanity |
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6 |
DISIP El Helicoide Caracas |
Former Security Police Commissioner |
November 22, 2004. |
Conspiracy to commit homicide and infliction of serious injuries during April 11, 2002 events. |
Arrested without warrant when he was flying abroad. Denied bail despite being granted to 3 shooters charged with similar charges alleging crimes against humanity. |
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7 |
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Navy Corporal |
May 17, 2003 |
Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends. . |
Has recanted his statements several times. |
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8 |
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Security volunteer at Plaza Altamira |
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Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends, and the bombing of the embassies and consulate, and the Teleport Tower in 2003. |
One of Gral. Felipe Rodríguez’s bodyguards; would later recant his statements- alleging torture- in which he admitted his guilt and accused the general, Chacín, Colina and Valera of the bomb attacks. |
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9 |
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Known as Fenix, he was close to Gral. Felipe Rodríguez, and was arrested to have him confess his whereabouts. |
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10 |
PM Zona 2 Catia Caracas |
PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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11 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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12 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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13 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
. Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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14 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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15 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
. Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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16 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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17 |
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PM Corporal |
April 19, 2003 |
Homicide, use of war and fire weapons, and infliction of serious injuries during the April 11 events |
Remained in the PM headquarters in Cotiza until he was transferred to the DISIP headquarters in November 2004 when he changed his statement. |
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18 |
YARE I Miranda State |
GN Major General |
February 4, 2005
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7 charges: Conspiracy to rebellion, rebellion, sedition, public intimidation, possession of war weapon, infliction of injuries, and association to commit crimes. New charges are to be brought up in a military court in Aragua State for possession of explosives.
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Transferred to a maximum security prison and incarcerated with 1 convicted criminal despite what COPP reads and his status as a military officer. |
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19 |
CENAPROMIL Ramo Verde Miranda State |
Army retired Brigadier General Former Minister of Finance (2002) |
May 22, 2004 |
Sentenced to 5 years and 6 months for defamation against the Armed Force |
Gral. Usón explained how a linstock was used in a TV program in which speculation on how 8 soldiers in Ft. Mara could have been burned; two of them to death. The TSJ denied a motion presented by his attorneys to be present in the hearing (April 21) on his “forced retirement”. |
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20 |
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Army retired Brigadier General Former director of DIM, and the International Airport (2002) |
June 9, 2004 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Military prosecutor asking for 27 year sentence |
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21 |
|
GN Colonel |
May 13, 2004 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Military prosecutor asking for 27 year sentence |
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22 |
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GN Colonel |
May 13, 2004 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Military prosecutor asking for 27 year sentence |
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23 |
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Army Captain |
May 24, 2004 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Military prosecutor asking for 27 year sentence
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24 |
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Army Captain |
June 19, 2004 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Military prosecutor asking for 27 year sentence |
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25 |
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GN Captain |
May 13, 2004 |
Cooperation with armed rebellion and failure to report conspiracy. |
Military prosecution asking for 12 year sentence |
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26 |
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GN colonel |
August 15, 2004 |
Sentenced to 2 years for conspiracy to rebellion |
Was in charge of the Plan República in Amazonas. Denied suspended sentence |
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27 |
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GN Lieutenant Colonel |
August 15, 2004 |
Sentenced to 5 years and 2 months for conspiracy to rebellion and insubordination |
Refused to read a political harangue to the troops on August 15, the day of the presidential RR. New charges were brought during trial so sentence would amount more than 5 years |
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28 |
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GN Lieutenant Colonel |
August 15, 2004 |
Sentenced to 5 years and 2 months for conspiracy to rebellion and insubordination |
Refused to read a political harangue to the troops on August 15, the day of the presidential RR. New charges were brought during trial so sentence would amount more than 5 years |
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29 |
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GN Lieutenant Colonel |
February 11, 2005 |
Military rebellion Sedition |
Caught during rescue operations in Vargas State. Preliminary audience scheduled for April 28, 2005 was suspended.
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30 |
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Army Captain |
November 11, 2004 |
Insubordination |
Captain Gebauer was one of the officers who “escorted” President Chávez to La Orchila on April 12, 2002. Was granted asylum in Uruguay but returned to Venezuela in 2004. |
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31 |
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GN Lieutenant Colonel Former commander of the Anti-extorsion and kidnapping unit (GAES) in Táchira State (2004) |
January 12, 2005 |
3 charges: Treason, abuse and faults against military decorum for having arrested Rodrigo Granda and turned it over to Colombian authorities |
Was tortured during his arrest in DIM (4 days); four months later, there’s still an internal hematoma for which he’s being treated. . Preliminary audience scheduled for April 6, 2005 was suspended. |
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32 |
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Merchant Navy Captain |
July 24, 2004 |
Defamation against the Armed Force. |
Captain Salazar denounced PDV Marina president, Rear Admiral Camejo Arenas and Rear Admiral Torcat Sanabria for overpricing fleets and ships bought.
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33 |
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President of the Venezuelan Labor Union (CTV) |
February 28, 2005 |
3 charges: civic rebellion, sedition, and use of false act. Indicted April 12, 2005. |
Charged for his acts during the civic strike of December 2002. |
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34 |
DIM Boleíta Caracas |
GN Colonel Commander of the No. 11 Post in San Antonio del Táchira. |
February 10, 2005 |
Military rebellion |
Whereabouts since his arrest February 10 are unknown. Thought to remain in DIM headquarters. |
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35 |
|
Army Colonel
|
April 21, 2005 |
Armed rebellion Sedition |
Arrested while in Ft. Tiuna, he’s accused of being envolved with his brother and cousin in the case of the presumed paramilitaries. Remains incommunicado (not even his lawyer) since his arrest in the dungeons at the DIM headquarters despite his poor health and blood pressure crisis. |
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36 |
La Planta, El Paraíso Caracas |
Security volunteer at Plaza Altamira |
May 2, 2003 |
Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends, and the bombing of the embassies and consulate, and the Teleport Tower in 2003. |
Known as El Armadillo, he was close to Gral. Felipe Rodríguez, and was arrested to have him confess his whereabouts. First jailed in Yare and then La Planta, both maximum security prisons, without a conviction. Tortured in both. |
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37 |
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Security volunteer at Plaza Altamira |
March 26, 2003 |
Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends. . |
Known as El Zorro, he was close to Gral. Felipe Rodríguez, and was arrested to have him confess his whereabouts. |
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38 |
|
Security volunteer at Plaza Altamira |
Unknown |
Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends. . |
Known as Fenix, he was close to Gral. Felipe Rodríguez, and was arrested to have him confess his whereabouts.
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38 |
El Rodeo Miranda State |
Security volunteer at Plaza Altamira |
April 2003 |
Charges: Slain of three soldiers camping out in Plaza Altamira and two of their girlfriends, and the bombing of the embassies and consulate, and the Teleport Tower in 2003.
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He denounced tortures to have him confess. |
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Under presentation |
GN Second Lieutenant |
April 8, 2003 |
Civil rebellion, sedition, and carrying weapon without due permit |
“Advised” to plead guilty so he could benefit from a substitute measure having paid ¾ of the sentence. |
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Under presentation |
GN retired Corporal |
April 8, 2003 |
Civil rebellion, sedition, and carrying weapon without due permit |
Tortured during his stay at DISIP headquarters. “Advised” to plead guilty so he could benefit from a substitute measure having paid ¾ of the sentence. |
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Under presentation |
Group of young people. |
December 19, 2004 |
Sentenced to probation and prohibition to leave the country for attacking the President.
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For pot banging and shouting as presidential motorcade went by on November 8, 2003.. |
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Constitutional attorney and university professor |
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Sentenced to 2 years and 3 months for defamation against former President of Parliament, MVR legislator William Lara; sentence confirmed by TSJ. |
Trial filled with irregularities, including arresting a witness for denying being present in Miraflores on April 12, 2002. Alvarez was the person who coordinated the report on the fraudulent presidential recall referendum |
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Journalist |
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Sentenced to 9 months for defamation against Army Colonel Angel Bellorín |
Has 11 other open investigations in different courts |
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Journalist
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Sentenced to 6 months for defamation against Jesse Chacón, Minister of Internal Affairs |
Has 2 other investigations open. A previous investigation on libel and slander against the National Armed Force, ordered by the Minister of Defense for reporting there were Cubans roaming in military installations and showing a video of their presence in a garrison in Apure State, was dismissed by the Military Prosecution Office. |
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Freed |
GN Lieutenant |
January 12, 2005 |
3 charges: Treason, abuse and faults against military decorum for having arrested Rodrigo Granda and turned it over to Colombian authorities |
Freed March 1, 2005 after formally blaming Lt. Col. Quintero Aguilar of issuing orders. Was tortured during his arrest in DIM (4 days) |
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Freed |
GN Corporal |
January 12, 2005 |
3 charges: Treason, abuse and faults against military decorum for having arrested Rodrigo Granda and turned it over to Colombian authorities.
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Freed March 1, 2005 after formally blaming Lt. Col. Quintero Aguilar of issuing orders. Was tortured during his arrest in DIM (4 days) |
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Freed |
GN Corporal |
January 12, 2005 |
3 charges: Treason, abuse and faults against military decorum for having arrested Rodrigo Granda and turned it over to Colombian authorities |
Freed March 1, 2005 after formally blaming Lt. Col. Quintero Aguilar of issuing orders. Was tortured during his arrest in DIM (4 days) |
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Freed |
GN Corporal |
January 12, 2005 |
3 charges: Treason, abuse and faults against military decorum for having arrested Rodrigo Granda and turned it over to Colombian authorities |
Freed March 1, 2005 after formally blaming Lt. Col. Quintero Aguilar of issuing orders. Was tortured during his arrest in DIM (4 days) |
Compiled by Sol Maria Castro. VenEcononomia and VenInvestor correspondent.
SMCS/smcs. '2005