Related videos:
The Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado denounced this Tuesday that officials from Nicolás Maduro's regime have issued direct and systematic threats of extrajudicial execution against political prisoners held at El Rodeo prison, in the east of Caracas.
"I have received information about threats of extrajudicial execution against political prisoners. These intimidations are crimes against humanity and serious violations of International Humanitarian Law," Machado wrote on his X account, warning that the Venezuelan state will be held responsible for any physical or psychological harm suffered by the detainees.
Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for his leadership in defending human rights in Latin America, stated that the prisoners are in a state of hostage to the government.
Various organizations, such as Foro Penal and Amnesty International, have documented hundreds of cases of torture and disappearances in Venezuelan detention centers.
The statement comes amid a climate of heightened international tension following the deployment of Operation Southern Lance, a military initiative by the U.S. Southern Command officially aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks, but which has been interpreted as a direct message to Maduro's regime.
The White House has warned that it is closely monitoring the repressive actions of chavismo and will respond to any state crimes.
"The international community cannot look the other way. Lives are at risk today," insisted Machado, who urged the UN and the OAS to immediately activate protective mechanisms for Venezuelan political prisoners.
Filed under: