The father of a political prisoner who died while in Venezuelan police custody has called for an investigation into the circumstances of his son's death. The incident occurred in the city of Anaco, approximately 250 miles east of Caracas.
Details of the Incident
Former municipal councilor Jose Manuel Garcia was being held by municipal police in Anaco when he died. His body was discovered on Sunday. According to the human rights group Foro Penal, around 20 political prisoners have died in custody in Venezuela since 2014.
Father's Appeal
Speaking to AFP, the victim's father, also named Jose Manuel Garcia, expressed his anguish: "This can't be allowed to continue." He highlighted the alarming trend of deaths in police custody, stating, "We're seeing in Venezuela repeated cases of people dying in the custody of the very police themselves, which are now coming to light publicly, and we're realizing that it's becoming almost a routine practice." He urged officials to ensure a thorough investigation: "I ask, just as I told officials, that these investigations get to the truth."
Political Context
Former prosecutor Zair Mundaray, currently in exile, described Garcia's detention as "clearly political," noting that he "had denounced acts of corruption within the mayor's office." Loved ones buried the former councilor in the northern city of Barcelona on Monday afternoon.
Amnesty and Remaining Prisoners
Despite the adoption of an amnesty for political prisoners in February, a month after former president Nicolas Maduro's ouster by the United States, around 500 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to NGOs. The death of Garcia underscores ongoing concerns about human rights abuses in the country.
