They denounce the arrest of a well-known human rights defender and military analyst, a critic of Chavismo, in Venezuela

Rocio San Miguelactivist, human rights defender and expert on military issues in Venezuela, She was arrested as she prepared to travel out of the countryopposition human rights and political NGOs reported last Sunday, without the authorities having officially commented on the case.

San Miguel’s arrest reportedly took place on Friday at Maiquetía airport, in Caracas, when accompanied by his daughter “He was preparing to leave the country for the Carnival holidays,” Gonzalo Himob, vice president of the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, told the Associated Press.

“It is not known until now where he is”said Himob, who announced that they are gathering information on the case.

The Civilis Human Rights organization condemned the incident and defined the detention of the activist and the lawyer as “arbitrary”, however demanding “to know where he was”, after two days had passed “without news from him”, stated in a message Account X, formerly Twitter.

“Consistent with our mandate, we demand his immediate freedom and denounce that this new abuse is part of the painful practice of persecution against those who defend and exercise rights,” published the specialized NGO Provea.

Amnesty International for its part He asked for his “immediate and unconditional release”.

The Venezuelan prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the case.

The maintenance takes place in the context of the Venezuelan government’s announcement having neutralized five murderous “conspiracies”.in which the Venezuelan justice system targets soldiers, journalists and activists.

One of these, called “White Bracelet”, in which San Miguel is supposed to be involved, it consisted of the attack on a military base in Táchira, on the border with Colombiato take up arms and assassinate the leaders of Chavismo.

Maduro, who will have to seek re-election this year, He often denounces plans to overthrow and assassinate him.

For these latest alleged conspiracies, 36 have been arrested – 12 for “White Bracelet” – and 22 people have arrest warrants, according to Attorney General Tarek William Saab on January 26.

“We warn the world that the repressive assault of the Maduro regime continues”condemned María Corina Machado, the main opposition figure in the 2024 presidential elections, despite a 15-year political ban against her.

Even the opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, denounced that “once again from power follows the dynamics of terror, persecution, criminalization and arbitrariness to neutralize those who think differently.

San Miguel won a case against Venezuela in 2018 before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IAC Court). for the violation of political and expression rightsafter being fired from a public body for having supported the request for a recall referendum against the then president Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) in 2003.

According to the NGO Foro Penal, Venezuela adds 261 ‘political prisoners’including 18 women and 146 soldiers.

Last October, the government and opposition signed a political agreement ahead of the presidential elections, which led to the release of 10 Americans and 24 other Venezuelans detained in Venezuela for political reasons, in exchange for Alex Saab, accused of being Maduro’s spokesman . man and who was detained in the United States on money laundering charges.