The deaths of political prisoners are a concern in Venezuela. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation, as the information of the Venezuelan Prison Observatory NGO reveals, 20 political prisoners have died in custody over the past few years in Venezuela. The latest was Reinaldo Araujo — a political prisoner and a leader of the Vente Venezuela party in the Trujillo state of Venezuela— who died last month in jail. Despite criticisms against the government, it remains unclear whether the deaths of political prisoners will end in Venezuela, which has one of the largest numbers of such prisoners in the Western Hemisphere, often surpassing the countries such as Cuba and Nicaragua.
There are various reasons that lead to the deaths of political prisoners and may do so in the future in Venezuela. It is notable that growing political enmity between the government and the opposition, the government’s intolerant attitude toward the opposition and the lack of the implementation of the rights of prisoners leads to the deaths of political prisoners in Venezuela where the number of such prisoners has increased after the elections held in July 2024. Hundreds of protesters were arrested in the days leading up to Maduro’s inauguration and detained to jails that are notorious for the mistreatment of detainees. Reinaldo Araujo was not timely treated despite his illness. The lack of the rule of law and transparency is also responsible for the deaths of political prisoners in Venezuela.
But, pertinently saying, the deaths of political prisoners may have far-reaching impacts on politics in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. While the deaths of political prisoners may arguably help strengthen the government to exert forced domination over the opposition, such deaths may lead to further protests within Venezuela, where the crackdown on the opposition often takes place at all levels and has increased after the 2024 presidential elections, and heightened tensions between the government and opposition groups, the relation between whom are rarely good. Among others, the death of political prisoners may lead to polarization among Venezuelan citizens and contribute to the continuation of the culture of opposition repression further in the Latin American country, leading to concerns.
Photo credit: https://edition.cnn.com/.
Various steps including the improvement of prison conditions with reforms and thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are some promising steps in Venezuela. However, there are various loopholes, leading to limited outcomes. The efforts are made less to implement the rights of prisoners including timely and proper treatment and there is a lack of independent and trustworthy investigation over prisoner’s deaths — most often. Among others, there is also a lack of steps to address the underlying causes of the imprisonment of political leaders including electoral problems in Venezuela because of various reasons including the intention of the Venezuelan government to suppress the opposition and geopolitical involvement.
But the deaths of political prisoners need to be ended. For this, arbitrary arrests and detentions for political purposes need to be addressed in Venezuela. The emphasis also needs to be given to the implementation of the rights of political prisoners including the rights of treatment and remaining free from torture. But the underlying causes including the culture of suppressing opposition need to be addressed. Political commitment is also vital for improving the political ground.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
