The Scientific, Criminal and Criminal Investigation Corps (Cicpc) opened an investigation for the crime of instigating hatred in the case of the death of the political leader of the Apure state, Edwin Santos, so this week the human rights defender and the President of the El Amparo Foundation, Walter Márquez, was summoned to testify.
Márquez indicated that this fact contaminates the criminal investigation process, because reference or direct witnesses who could contribute to clarifying the facts will be intimidated and will not give their statements. “I myself was cited for instigating hatred at the municipal offices of the Cicpc and I refused to testify because it would validate this maneuver of intimidating those who have said otherwise,” he said.
He recalled that a week ago he presented a document to the Prosecutor’s Office together with the former governor of Táchira, César Pérez Vivas, requesting that an independent investigation be carried out under the Minnesota protocol in United Nations standards, to clarify the two hypotheses of death. The one offered by the Cicpc about a traffic accident and the one that has arisen from various statements about a possible kidnapping and political crime.
“Faced with the different circumstances, for the good of the government itself and for the good of the victim’s relatives, we must investigate and not open a parallel investigation, which is what is happening. The investigation into the death of Edwin Santos is in the Second Prosecutor’s Office of San Cristóbal and the investigation into instigation of hatred is in the First Prosecutor’s Office. “This parallelism causes harm to the investigation,” he said.
Walter Márquez rejected the attempt to criminalize those who have requested to investigate and deepen the facts surrounding the death of Edwin Santos and made it clear that, although he refused to testify before the police force, he was willing to do so at the Prosecutor’s Office and contribute with information to clarify the facts.
The human rights defender highlighted that he was aware that due to this file of instigation of hatred, witnesses will continue to be called to testify, but he considers that these actions are part of police terrorism that contaminates the investigation.
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**Short Interview with Walter Márquez, President of the El Amparo Foundation**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Walter. You recently spoke out regarding the investigation surrounding Edwin Santos’ death. Can you share your thoughts on the current situation?
**Walter Márquez:** Thank you for having me. The situation is deeply concerning. The investigation by the Cicpc into the instigation of hatred related to Edwin Santos’ death seems to be more of a distraction than a genuine attempt to uncover the truth. There’s a significant risk that potential witnesses will be intimidated, which compromises the investigation’s integrity.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you have refused to testify under these circumstances. Why do you believe it is essential to take that stance?
**Walter Márquez:** It is crucial to stand against intimidation tactics. By refusing to testify in a process that feels unjust and threatening, I hope to highlight how these maneuvers can silence those who have vital information. It’s about protecting the truth and anyone willing to bring it to light.
**Interviewer:** You and former governor César Pérez Vivas have called for an independent investigation. Why do you believe this is important?
**Walter Márquez:** An independent inquiry is vital to ensure that international standards, specifically the Minnesota Protocol, are upheld. This can help clarify the conflicting narratives surrounding Santos’ death—whether it was an accident as the Cicpc claims or part of a politically motivated crime, as many believe.
**Interviewer:** What do you hope will come from such an investigation?
**Walter Márquez:** We hope for transparency and accountability. The truth must come out to restore faith in the justice system and human rights protection in our country. Only through an independent and impartial investigation can we prevent future abuses and ensure justice for Edwin Santos and his family.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Walter, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. We hope for resolution and justice in this case.
**Walter Márquez:** Thank you for having me.
