The Governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay expressed this Thursday their deep concern about the detention of the Venezuelan activist Rocío San Miguel and made a strong call to the authorities of the Nicolás Maduro regime to release her.
“The Governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay express their deep concern about the arbitrary detention of human rights activist Rocío San Miguel and make a strong call to the Venezuelan authorities to immediately release her and drop the charges made” , indicates a joint statement.
Likewise, the five countries rejected the recent measures against the Technical Advisory Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela and demanded full respect for human rights, the validity of the rule of law and the calling of elections. transparent, free, democratic and competitive” without proscriptions of any kind.
The Venezuelan activist San Miguel, accused of her alleged connection with a conspiracy that included the assassination of President Nicolás Maduro, has been detained for six days this Thursday, a fact that was confirmed on Saturday, when NGOs and opposition parties denounced her “forced disappearance.” which has raised massive rejection inside and outside the country.
San Miguel – held in El Helicoide, headquarters of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (Sebin) in Caracas – faces a judicial process for “treason to the country, conspiracy, terrorism and association”, according to the accusation of the Public Ministry (MP, Prosecutor’s Office). ), which denies that a “forced disappearance” was involved in the arrest.
In addition to the activist, a beneficiary of precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) since 2012, five of her family members and friends were also detained, including an ex-partner.
*With information from EFE*
#Argentina #Costa #Rica #Ecuador #Paraguay #Uruguay #requested #release #Rocío #San #Miguel
**Interview with Laura González, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Laura. We want to discuss the recent arrest of Venezuelan activist Rocío San Miguel. Can you give us some context about her significance?
**Laura González:** Absolutely. Rocío San Miguel is a well-known human rights lawyer and an outspoken advocate for democracy and civil liberties in Venezuela. Her work has focused on the military’s role in the political sphere and the human rights violations occurring under the Maduro regime. Her arrest has raised alarms because it underscores the risks faced by activists in Venezuela.
**Interviewer:** On February 9th, she was detained just before traveling. What do you think this indicates about the state of political dissent in Venezuela?
**Laura González:** Her arrest signals a climate of repression that continues to tighten under Maduro’s government. It suggests that authorities are increasingly willing to suppress any dissenting voices, especially those that challenge the military’s influence or advocate for human rights. The fact that it happened as she prepared to leave the country shows a concerted effort to silence international criticism.
**Interviewer:** Following her arrest, several governments in Latin America, including those of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay, have spoken out. Why is their response significant?
**Laura González:** This unified response is critical as it represents a regional condemnation of human rights abuses in Venezuela. It signals to the Maduro regime that the international community is watching and is concerned about the implications of such actions. Additionally, it strengthens ties among countries in the region that advocate for democracy and human rights, potentially leading to coordinated efforts to pressure Venezuela.
**Interviewer:** What do you think might happen next for Rocío San Miguel and the broader human rights movement in Venezuela?
**Laura González:** Unfortunately, the trajectory for individuals like Rocío can be quite grim, especially in environments where authoritarian rule prevails. It could lead to prolonged detention or worse. However, her case also serves to galvanize support for human rights advocacy within and outside Venezuela. It may stimulate more action from the international community, including sanctions or diplomatic efforts to secure her release and support the broader movement for democracy in Venezuela.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Laura, for shedding light on this important issue. Let’s hope for Rocío’s swift release and for the safety of all activists in Venezuela.
**Laura González:** Thank you for having me.
