The RFK Human Rights organisation has urgently called for the release of Venezuelan activist Jesús Armas, who was abducted on December 10, 2024, amidst a harrowing backdrop of political oppression. Eyewitnesses reported that Armas was taken by six masked individuals wielding weapons at the “Café Canel” in Las Mercedes, Caracas. These assailants, dressed in unmarked uniforms, silenced café patrons and forcibly restrained Jesús, shoving him into an unmarked vehicle without presenting any form of legal authority.
Currently, Armas is believed to be imprisoned at El Helicoide, infamous for its associations with severe human rights abuses. Disturbingly, both his family and lawyers have been denied any visitation, rendering them unable to ascertain his wellbeing. Kerry Kennedy, president of RFK Human Rights, condemned the act stating, “The Maduro regime forcibly disappeared Jesús Armas. Their actions were arbitrary, cruel, and in violation of international law.”
A noted advocate for democratic principles, Armas has previously served on Caracas’s city council and is a prominent figure in the organisation Ciudadanía Sin Límites. His vocal criticism of the regime surged during the contentious presidential elections of July 28, where Nicolás Maduro’s defeat remains unrecognised by the government. Since then, reports indicate that over 2,000 political opponents and human rights advocates, Armas included, have encountered arbitrary detention.
Isabel Carlota Roby, a senior staff attorney at RFK Human Rights, highlighted the perilous environment for pro-democracy activists in Venezuela. Drawing parallels to other victimised figures like Rocio San Miguel and Javier Tarazona, she stated, “Jesús Armas’ case is yet another stark reminder that Venezuela remains a dangerous place for those who stand for democracy and human rights.”
RFK Human Rights vows to persist in pressing for the liberation of all political prisoners in Venezuela and demands clarity regarding the missing individuals. The organisation implores the international community to adopt all diplomatic avenues for facilitating a transition towards democracy in the beleaguered nation.
RFK Human Rights calls for the immediate release of Jesús Armas, a Venezuelan activist abducted by security forces on December 10, 2024. Eyewitnesses recall the distressing scene at a café in Caracas, where he was forcibly taken by armed individuals. Believed to be detained in a notorious torture centre, his family has been denied visitation. The organisation condemns these actions as violations of international law and reaffirms the need for global support in achieving democratic reform in Venezuela.
The abduction of Jesús Armas starkly illustrates the ongoing political repression in Venezuela, highlighting the risks faced by those advocating for democracy. With the call for accountability from the RFK Human Rights group, there is a growing urgency for the international community to intervene and push for the release of political prisoners. The plight of Armas and his compatriots exemplifies the desperate need for a restoration of human rights and a peaceful political climate in Venezuela.
Original Source: rfkhumanrights.org
