In a worsening of state repression, the Venezuelan regime has been denounced for the detention of three prominent political activists in the state Portuguese in less than 24 hours, according to political parties Justice First (PJ) and Sell Venezuela through their social media accounts.
The activists are Amber Marquezvice president of the Primero Justicia Organization in Santa Rosalía, Portuguesa and member of the municipal campaign command; Victor Castillo, coordinator of the Vente Venezuela command in Santa Rosalía; and Oscar Castanedaleader of Vente Venezuela in the same state.
According to the information provided by Maria Oropezastate coordinator of Vente Portuguesa, Víctor Castillo would have been transferred to the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) in Araure, while the whereabouts of the other two activists have not yet been confirmed.
The arrest of these activists has generated a wave of repudiation from opposition parties. María Oropeza from Vente Venezuela described the measure as “very serious,” while Primero Justicia denounced the “oppressive and violent nature” of the regime.
Faced with this situation, both Primero Justicia and Vente Venezuela demanded the “immediate release” of the detained activists and reiterated their commitment to the defense of civil and political rights in Venezuela.
The first arrest to be reported was that of Castañeda.
“Óscar Castañeda was kidnapped by regime forces after participating in an event by María Corina Machado in Portuguesa (center)“, indicated the party on the social network X, without the Chavista authorities having commented on the case so far.
Meanwhile, Rodolfo Castañeda, a relative of the detainee, provided details about the arrest: “Óscar Castañeda, the boy who spoke at the rally in Turén, Portuguesa state, the Sebin has just beaten him out of his house and taken him to prison.”
Additionally, he noted: “My dear friends, I have received information from my uncle – Óscar Castañeda’s father – that they want to accuse him of robbery and robbery, when he has not even lived in Venezuela for the last four years.”
The dissemination on social networks of a video in which Óscar Castañeda expresses his support for the opposition leader in an enclave historically related to Chavismo, would have triggered the forced disappearance perpetrated by Sebin
These arrests are added to others that include those of seven regional campaign managers of the opposition, who are accused of alleged conspiratorial plans against the dictatorship. The arrest of seven others has also been requested, and the opposition has denounced “political persecution.”
Castañeda returned to the country 20 days ago after emigrating to Colombia. A video with a statement supporting Machado went viral on social networks, when the opponent led a campaign event in the town of Turen in Portuguese.
“I am one of the Venezuelans who came defeated from Colombia (…) I put my trust in María Corina Machado, and I want all of you to do the same“Castañeda said in a brief speech during the event.
“Because of this forceful testimony, Sebin took away Óscar Castañeda, leader of Vente Venezuela in the Portuguesa state. We warn about his forced disappearance and demand his immediate release,” expressed the Voluntad Popular party.
“The power wants us demobilized and afraid. If the regime does not want us to listen to Óscar, then we have more reasons to listen to him and spread it. “Let everyone see it!” he added.
(With information from AFP)
