RismadarVoice Reporters
January 11, 2026
A Venezuelan police officer accused of “treason against the homeland” has died in state custody, opposition parties and human rights Organizations said on Saturday, amid the release of a small number of political prisoners by the country’s interim government.
The death occurred as authorities began freeing detainees for the first time since former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez assumed control of the government, following the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.
Opposition party Primero Justicia (Justice First) identified the deceased officer as Edison José Torres Fernández, 52, who was arrested in December. The party alleged that Torres Fernández was detained for sharing messages critical of the government.
“We directly hold the regime of Delcy Rodríguez responsible for this death,” Primero Justicia said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Committee of Relatives for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPPVE), a rights group, said Torres Fernández had served in the police force for two decades and was unofficially accused of treason. The group said there was no official information regarding the cause or circumstances of his death.
“There is no clarity on what medical care, if any, he received while in custody,” CLIPPVE said, adding that the lack of transparency places responsibility for his life and safety on the state.
Human rights Organizations say the incident adds to a troubling pattern. Since 2014, at least 18 political prisoners have reportedly died in detention in Venezuela.
The developments come as the interim government began releasing detainees on Thursday, following the arrest of Maduro and his wife in a late-night raid in Caracas on January 3.
US President, Donald Trump has said Washington is prepared to recognize Rodríguez’s administration, provided it grants the United States access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Despite the announcement of prisoner releases, rights groups and opposition figures say progress has been limited. As of Saturday evening, only 21 detainees had reportedly been freed, including a handful of high-profile opposition figures.
According to the NGO Foro Penal, Venezuela currently holds more than 800 political prisoners. The Organization said disputes following Maduro’s contested victory in the 2024 presidential election led to the arrest of about 2,400 people, although more than 2,000 have since been released, based on official figures.
Opposition groups and human rights Organizations continue to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, an independent investigation into deaths in custody.
