CARACAS, Venezuela — Human rights organizations in Venezuela are calling for the release of prominent attorney and activist Rocío San Miguel, whose recent detention has raised concerns about the government's use of repression against its opponents. Representatives from several rights groups expressed worry about San Miguel's well-being and condemned her lack of access to legal representation of her choice.
During a press conference held in Caracas, Claudia Carrillo, coordinator of victims' psychological care at the Venezuela-based organization Cofavic, described the prolonged isolation and inability to communicate as forms of cruel and inhuman treatment. This treatment, Carrillo emphasized, is not only harmful to San Miguel's psychological and moral freedom but is also a violation of her rights as a person.
San Miguel was arrested last Friday at the Caracas airport while she and her daughter were waiting for a flight to Miami, triggering widespread criticism inside and outside Venezuela. Attorney General Tarek William Saab reiterated the accusations against San Miguel, claiming that she was linked to an alleged plot to kill President Nicolás Maduro, other officials, and attack military units.
Saab stated that military members arrested in connection with the foiled plot had revealed San Miguel's alleged role to authorities. However, he did not provide any evidence to support his claims. San Miguel, 57, is renowned for her research on Venezuela's controversial armed forces and is the head of the non-governmental organization Control Ciudadano, which focuses on human rights, security, and the armed forces.
Following San Miguel's detention, her daughter, ex-husband, two brothers, and former partner were also taken into custody by authorities. Although the government has not explicitly acknowledged the detention of San Miguel's daughter, Miranda Díaz, and ex-husband, Victor Díaz, Minnie Díaz, Victor's sister, confirmed their release on the condition that they regularly report to authorities, refrain from leaving the country, and avoid speaking to the media.
San Miguel's lawyer, Juan González, shared concerns about her potential confinement in Helicoide prison, infamous for housing political prisoners. Over 200 local non-governmental organizations have demanded San Miguel's release and that of her family while urging the international community to condemn the actions taken against them.
Carrillo emphasized that San Miguel's unjust detention is not only having an 'intimidating effect' but is also aimed at generating polarization and mistrust among citizens. This aligns with a U.N.-backed panel's report in September, which stated that the Venezuelan government has been intensifying its efforts to curtail democratic freedoms through threats, surveillance, and harassment in the lead-up to this year's presidential election. The panel also noted an increase in targeted repression against politicians, labor leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, and other real or perceived opponents, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Miguel's detention comes more than three months after the U.S. government partially lifted economic sanctions against Venezuela in response to President Maduro's commitment to holding an election in the second half of 2024, lifting bans preventing adversaries from holding office, and releasing political prisoners. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as the United Nations Office of Human Rights and the Canadian government, have condemned the detentions and urged Maduro to fulfill his commitments.
The case of Rocío San Miguel highlights the ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders in Venezuela and underscores the importance of international pressure to safeguard their rights and freedoms. Efforts to secure her release and protect the rights of all Venezuelan citizens will likely continue as concerns about the government's actions persist.
