Young man who suffered facial paralysis after being arrested for post-election protests released

• Edixon José Arévalo was detained in the Barinas Juvenile Care Center

The non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal confirmed Edixon’s release on Friday, August 23 Jose Arevalo, who was arrested during post-election protests and suffered facial paralysis.

The young man was detained in the Barinas Juvenile Care Center. The information about his release was verified by Lucía Quintero, coordinator of the Criminal Forum in Barinas, who accompanied the young man and his mother to the courts, where the precautionary measures were issued.

These measures include reporting to the Barinas judicial circuit every eight days and prohibiting people from leaving the country.

#23Ag Edison, a minor (15 years old) arbitrarily detained in Barinas on August 2 as a result of the post-election protests in Venezuela, was released from prison.

Our coordinator of the @ForoPenal Barinas @lushia22 accompanied Edison and his mother to court… pic.twitter.com/NN0kBTZHkw

— Criminal Forum (@ForoPenal) August 23, 2024

Fundehullan Venezuela reported the situation of Arévalo

The NGO Fundehullan Venezuela reported on Monday, August 12, that one of the teenagers detained during the protests that began on July 29, 2024 suffered facial paralysis.

Fundehullan reported that Edixon Arévalo was arrested by state security officials on August 2 and eight days later he was transferred to the Men’s Care Center in Barinas, where they reportedly noticed his condition.

In light of this, the NGO urged the Barinas State Prosecutor’s Office to authorize the transfer of the teenager to a health center so that his condition can be treated. In this regard, they demanded that the right to health, physical integrity and his prompt release be guaranteed.

“It is important to mention that Part II of the explanatory statement of the Organic Law for Children and Adolescents (Lopnna) points out the principle of the best interests of the child, enshrined in Article 3 of the Convention.”

Fundahullan reminded Venezuelan authorities that they must guarantee the health and life of minors deprived of their liberty.

117 teenagers arrested in protests since July 29

Foro Penal confirmed that at least 117 teenagers have been arrested since July 29 in the context of protests against the results of the National Electoral Council (CNE), which declared Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential elections.

Photo: EFE

On August 15, the NGO published its most recent update of protest figures, which recorded a total of 1,407 arrests and 55 releases. The arrests took place in 22 states and the Capital District.

Likewise, Foro Penal has not updated the figures of confirmed deaths that were recorded due to protests in the country. According to the latest report, there are 11 deaths that are divided into the following entities: Capital District (5) and the states of Yaracuy (2), Zulia (2), Aragua (1) and Táchira (1).

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