RismadarVoice Reporters, May 19, 2026
Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodriguez, has ordered a full investigation into the death of political prisoner, Victor Hugo Quero Navas while in state custody, as mounting public anger and renewed calls for accountability intensify across the country.
The decision comes shortly after the death of Quero’s mother, Carmen Navas, who died days after confirming the fate of her son following a prolonged search that had drawn national attention.
Quero, 51, was arrested in January 2025 on terrorism-related charges and remained missing for several months, with his family repeatedly seeking information on his whereabouts. Authorities only publicly acknowledged his death nearly a year later, triggering criticism from rights organisations and activists.
Government officials said Quero died in July 2025 from acute respiratory failure linked to pulmonary thromboembolism while receiving treatment at a military hospital in Caracas. Authorities also stated that no family members had formally requested visits during his detention, a claim that has been disputed by relatives and rights advocates.
Following confirmation of her son’s death, Carmen Navas visited his burial site and requested the exhumation of his remains for identification before organising a funeral ceremony in Caracas. Her relentless campaign to locate her son had made her a symbol for families of missing detainees in Venezuela.
In an official statement, the presidency said Rodriguez had directed authorities to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding Quero’s death in collaboration with the Ombudsman’s Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office had earlier announced a criminal investigation into the case, while human rights groups and international organisations have continued to demand an independent and transparent process.
According to rights organisation Foro Penal, several political detainees have died in Venezuelan custody over the past decade, despite recent amnesty efforts introduced after political changes in the country. Human rights groups say hundreds of political prisoners remain detained.
