The Chavez regime continues to persecute opponents: there are already 989 political prisoners in Venezuela

The NGO Foro Penal is badured this Wednesday EFE that the number of so-called "political prisoners" of Venezuela rose to 989 after new arrests, occurred these last days among the most modest population and in the crisis of governance which shakes the country since last January.

The director of the NGO, Gonzalo Himiob, declared EFE what is "This is the largest number" of registered prisoners of conscience in Venezuela, where "never" had reached "the extremes we now have".

Most of these detainees are civilians, 904, including 11 adolescents and 8 members of indigenous peoples. Members of the military world, of various ranks, complete the total with 85 inmates.

Himiob denounced in this respect that Nicolás Maduro's regime "is practically abducting the family members of the army" asked or avoided putting pressure on them and forcing them to surrender.

"They are detained for days without any procedure, without even informing the prosecutor's office, and they are tortured and ill-treated so that they will demonstrate the identity of the authorities," he said.

During the past week, the Government has arrested 56 people and released 33 others.

With these data, the Criminal Forum, which defends the majority of so-called "political prisoners", has updated the figure, which was sent to the United Nations and the Organization of American States for certification.

In additionSince 2014, some 7,820 Venezuelans have been criminally prosecuted for political reasons and some have adopted "restricted freedom measures".

According to Mr. Himiob, the recent imprisonments are linked to the anti-government protests that took place from 20 to 24 January, before and after the Speaker of the Parliament, the opposition Juan Guaidó, announced that he badumed the presidency and was recognized as that such. by dozens of countries.

According to Himiob, the arrests "focused on the more modest areas of the population", as a result of an attempt by Nicolás Maduro's government to send "a very strong message to these areas to prevent them." to manifest ".

"In such a way that this increased repression (…) has to do with this, the effort of this government to maintain this narrative that in the popular areas does not protest, which is wrong," he said. he continued.

Hundreds of Venezuelans have expressed in connection with the appeal launched by the opposition not to recognize the legitimacy of Maduro, whom they regard as a "usurper" after getting his reelection at the same time. 39 Elections described as fraudulent and not recognized by many countries.

During the first days of the demonstrations, 35 people died according to the balance of the Venezuelan Program of Education-Action for Human Rights (Provea) and the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict (OVCS).

The Criminal Forum said it would closely monitor the protests and denounce the excesses of national and international authorities.